Sir Rod Stewart arrested and charged for punching security guard at US hotel

Singer Sir Rod Stewart has been charged by police for simple battery after allegedly punching someone during an altercation at a hotel in Florida.

The star was arrested and charged after an incident at plush Breakers Palm Beach hotel which saw unsavoury scenes and a heated exchange between Stewart, members of his party and hotel staff.

A statement released by police in accused the 74-year-old of punching a security guard on 31 December after he and his group, including 39-year-old son Sean, attempted to enter a private party in a children's area of the resort.

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One of the hotel's security staff told police he saw a group of people near the check-in table of the private event trying to enter the area without authorisation.

The affidavit claimed Stewart and his group "began to get loud and cause a scene, and refused to follow instructions to leave".

Hotel employee Jessie Dixon alleges Stewart Jnr. had got "about nose to nose" with him after he was asked to step back.

The security guard claims Sean shoved him backwards after he put the back of his right hand on his chest.

He says the Sailing singer then punched him in the ribs.

The report states Stewart claims he and his group approached the check-in table at the event simply so the children they were with could go in, but Mr Dixon became argumentative.

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However, the arresting officer describes the Stewarts as the "primary aggressors" after he assessed footage taken from video cameras at the hotel.

Dixon decided he wished to press charges against Stewart and son Sean and the pair were arrested.

The former Faces frontman was charged and issued a notice to appear at the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Complex for a court date on February 5.