Rod Stewart charged by police over 'punching' security guard at Florida hotel

4 January 2020, 15:35

Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart. Picture: Getty

By Tom Eames

Sir Rod Stewart has been charged by police after allegedly punching a security guard in Florida.

An official report stated that an incident occurred after the legendary singer and his friends, including his son Sean, weren't allowed in to a private event on New Year's Eve.

Sean is alleged to have pushed the security guard, before Sir Rod hit his chest "with a closed fist".

Sir Rod and Sean were both charged with "simple battery".

Read more: Rod Stewart is joined by all four sons, aged from 7 to 38, in a rare family photo

The security guard at the Breakers Palm Beach Hotel, named Jessie Dixon, told police that he saw a group of people near the check-in table at a private event in the children's area, and were attempting to enter without permission.

Dixon told police that the group then "began to get loud and cause a scene", and refused to leave.

Rod and Sean Stewart
Rod and Sean Stewart. Picture: Getty

Sean then allegedly got "nose to nose" with the security guard, who is said to have told him to move on.

The police report then claims that 39-year-old Sean pushed Dixon backwards, before Sir Rod stepped in and threw a punch.

Sir Rod, 74, told police that Dixon became argumentative with his group, causing his family to feel "agitated".

The rock star later apologised for his part in the incident.

The father and son were charged and will now appear at the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Complex on February 5.

Sir Rod Stewart recently scored a number one album with his orchestral compilation You're In My Heart, which became one of the top 10 best-selling albums of 2019 in the UK.