Winehouse late for husband's court date

By Andrew Hough

LONDON (Reuters) - Troubled soul singer Amy Winehouse almost missed her husband's court appearance on Friday as he fights charges relating to a pub brawl.

Appearing to sway on her feet and needing the support of family and friends, Winehouse caused a commotion at Snaresbrook Crown Court in east London as she arrived late to support Blake Fielder-Civil.

Entering court just five minutes from the end of the hearing -- which had lasted more than half an hour -- Winehouse, dishevelled and dressed in a cream skirt, dark polo shirt and sporting her new blonde haircut, first mouthed: "I love you" and blew kisses to her 25-year-old husband as he left the dock.

She then yelled "Love you handsome, gorgeous one" as the judge discussed legal matters with lawyers.

She then turned to the several reporters sitting next to her in the public gallery and added in a loud voice: "I am not talking to you".

The 24-year-old, who won commercial and critical acclaim for her album "Back to Black", won six Grammy nominations in December but has been dogged by drug and alcohol-related problems and has been photographed on the streets of London in the early hours wearing only jeans and a bra.

Fielder-Civil, of Camden, north London, is facing charges of grievous bodily harm and perverting the course of justice, both relating to a pub fight in east London in June 2006.

As she left court, Winehouse was helped by her mother-in-law, Georgette, and headed into a meeting room where they remained for about 20 minutes.