A judge in London has praised Amy Winehouse's husband Blacke Fielder-Civil for the progress he has made in his battle with drugs. Fielder-Civil was originally due to be released from prison in December (08), but he was freed earlier this month (Nov08) after serving almost a year behind bars in relation to an attack on a pub landlord in 2006.

As part of his early release deal, he checked into a rehabilitation facility in Surrey, south east England. Fielder-Civil went back to court on Monday (24Nov08) to appeal against his 27-month prison sentence, with his lawyer calling his jail time "manifestly excessive".

Two judges turned down his request but subsequently told Fielder-Civil they were satisfied with his commitment to kicking his addictions and urged him to continue treatment.

Mr Justice Pitchford told the court, "We will not leave the appeal without expressing encouragement to the appellant to continue with the progress that he has made in the short time between November 5 and today's hearing, since it is only if these attempts are successful that he has a worthwhile future." (LR/WNWA/ZN)

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