Pop star Britney Spears won't face battery charge over housekeeper allegation

The incident stemmed from an argument between the singer and the housekeeper over the care of Spears' dog. Photo: AP

Britney Spears won't face a criminal charge over a battery accusation from her housekeeper after the Ventura County District Attorney office, in California, found there was insufficient evidence because of a "lack of injury to the housekeeper or significant damage to the phone."

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko made the announcement Wednesday (Sept 1) after what he describes as a thorough review of the Aug 16 incident by the supervisor of the misdemeanour crimes unit.

His office said the incident stemmed from an argument between Spears and the housekeeper over the care of Spears' dog. The housekeeper contacted deputies and filed a report accusing the pop star of slapping the phone out of her hand.

The allegation came with Spears in the middle of an epic court battle over her conservatorship.

"To its credit, the Ventura County District Attorney's Office has now formally rejected the misdemeanour allegation against Britney Spears, which the Sheriff's Department itself has acknowledged was a 'very minor' or 'extremely minor' incident, even as alleged, and there also was no striking and obviously no injuries," Mathew Rosengart, the singer's attorney, said in a statement.

The housekeeper couldn't be reached for comment.

Rosengart called the flap "nothing more than sensationalised-tabloid fodder – an overblown "he said, she said" regarding a cell phone. If this involved Jane Doe rather than Britney Spears it would not have been pursued or covered at all."

He added: "Anyone can make an accusation but this should never have made it this far and we are glad the DA's Office has done the right thing. Sadly, it is apparent that some have learned nothing from the past, and we sincerely hope the media and others will be more respectful of Ms Spears in the future."

Earlier last month, Spears had called 911 on Aug 10 to report "some type of theft" involving her dog but changed her mind when law enforcement arrived at her house. – Los Angeles Times/Tribune News Service