Rod Stewart assault case: Judge cancels trial, sets plea deal hearing

Rod Stewart performs at the Brit Awards in London on February 18, 2020. Photo / AP

A US judge has canceled the trial for rock icon Rod Stewart and his adult son and scheduled a hearing next month to discuss a plea deal to resolve charges stemming from a New Year's Eve altercation with a hotel security guard nearly two years ago.

Court records show the hearing with Judge August Bonavita is set for October 22 regarding a plea agreement to close the case without them needing to appear in court. The trial had been scheduled to begin on Tuesday.

If convicted, the Stewarts were facing a year in jail, or probation and a US$1000 fine. The terms of the agreement are not clear yet, and attorney Guy Fronstin did not respond to an email and phone call seeking comment.

The Stewarts' battery charges have taken a long time to resolve because of the pandemic and settlement negotiations.

Rod Stewart and son Sean reach agreement in Florida assault case https://t.co/1YvzKWBLzn

— MSN Ireland (@msnireland) September 11, 2021

The London-born singer is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2016.

Stewart and his son are accused of pushing and shoving security guard Jessie Dixon at the upscale The Breakers Hotel in Florida on December 31, 2019, because he wouldn't let them into a New Year's Eve party.

Dixon told Palm Beach police officers the Stewarts' group was at the check-in table for a private party they weren't authorised to attend, a police report said.

Dixon said the group became loud and began causing a scene. Dixon, then 33, told investigators he put his hand on the younger Stewart's chest and told him to back up and make space.

That's when Sean Stewart, the rock star's son, got "nose to nose" with Dixon.

Sean Stewart, now 41, then shoved Dixon backwards. Rod Stewart, now 76, punched Dixon in his "left rib cage area" with a closed fist, prosecutors allege.

Sean Stewart told investigators he became agitated when they were not able to attend the event "due to Dixon's interaction with him and his family".

Two Breakers employees who were working the private event told police they saw Sean Stewart push Dixon and Rod Stewart punch the guard.

The arresting officer said he viewed security footage at the hotel and determined that the Stewarts were the "primary aggressors".