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Naomi faces fresh assault claim(Daily Mail Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) FACING up to seven years in jail over accusations of throwing a jewel-encrusted mobile phone at her maid, it was the last news Naomi Campbell needed. But as the supermodel appeared in court yesterday, she was threatened by further allegations of violent behaviour. Her former housekeeper Gaby Gibson has accused the 35-year-old of 'personal injuries', 'employment discrimination', 'civil assault', 'civil battery' and other complaints. News of the latest lawsuit comes as Miss Campbell's lawyers are said to be considering a plea bargain over the charges brought by her ex-maid Ana Scolavino. The model has pleaded not guilty to assaulting Miss Scolavino at her New York penthouse apartment in March, after she is said to have accused the maid of stealing a pair of her GBP110 designer jeans. She allegedly threw her jewel- studded BlackBerry mobile phone at Miss Scolavino in a fit of rage, leaving her needing four stitches. Miss Campbell is also accused of instructing her staff to tell police that the 42-year-old had fallen over and hurt herself. The 36-year-old model, who wore four-inch heels and a short black dress, did not speak during the five-minute hearing at Manhattan's Criminal Court. She has always denied attacking the maid, calling the allegations 'completely untrue'. At the time of her arrest, she said in a statement: 'She is sadly mistaken if she thinks she can extract money from me by concocting lies by recycling old stories,' She refused to make any comment as she left the courthouse. If she escapes jail, Miss Campbell could still face civil action by Miss Scolavino. 'We will be handling any civil case after we know what is happening with the criminal case,' a spokesman for the maid's lawyers said yesterday. It is not the first time that Miss Campbell has faced claims of this sort. Last August, actress Yvonne Scio threatened to sue the supermodel, previously a friend, after claimingshe was 'punched and kicked' in a Rome hotel. Miss Campbell was allegedly annoyed that the actress was wearing a dress similar to one she planned to wear to a party that evening. In August 2004, the supermodel admitted having a catfight with her then housekeeper Millicent Burton, in which both women ended up brawling on the floor. A few months earlier, secretary Simone Craig sued for emotional distress after claiming Miss Campbell had grabbed her by her hair in a Beverley Hills Hotel. And in 2000, the model pleaded guilty to an assault claim made by former assistant Georgina Galanis, who alleged she hit her over the head with a mobile phone. Miss Campbell's lawyers secured a deal which saw her discharged without a criminal record after expressing remorse. In 2002, she revealed she had been attending anger management therapy to try to control her temper. The case brought by Miss Scolavino has been adjourned until September. |