Courtney Love Sued Over Assault

Sept. 20, 2005 — -- Courtney Love is being sued over a bottle-swinging, breast-pinching and hair-pulling attack on a sleeping woman at the home of the singer's ex-boyfriend.

Attorney Gloria Allred announced the lawsuit immediately after a hearing in Los Angeles in which Love was sentenced to 180 days in custody for violating probation in three criminal cases. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Rand Rubin allowed Love, 41, to serve her sentence in a live-in drug treatment facility rather than county jail.

Allred alleged her client, musician Kristin King, was sleeping on a couch at the home of Love's former boyfriend and manager when she was "viciously attacked by Ms. Love" in April 2004.

The attorney said Love poured whiskey on King and the alcohol bottle struck the woman's left cheekbone and temple. The singer allegedly then threw a lit candle at King, jumped on top of her and dug her fingernails into King's left forearm and bicep.

Love also allegedly yanked King by the hair, backhanded her, chipping one of King's teeth, and pinched her breast, leaving a bruise, Allred said.

"We think it is time for Ms. Love to take full financial responsibility for her assault on Ms. King," Allred said.

Love pleaded no contest Feb. 10 to misdemeanor assault stemming from the attack on King and was sentenced to three years probation, a year of anger management and drug treatment, and 100 hours of community service.

She also was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, undergo random drug testing and attend three Narcotics Anonymous meetings a week.

Love paid $2,705 in restitution to King, but Allred said that doesn't fully compensate her client. The attorney declined to name the dollar amount of damages being sought.

"We recognize that Ms. Love has a serious problem with substance abuse, but that does not excuse nor does it justify an unwarranted and vicious attack on another human being," Allred said.

"We hope that Ms. Love will get the help she needs, but we also intend to protect our client and make sure that she is fully compensated for the injuries Ms. Love inflicted on her," the attorney said.

The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges assault, battery, false imprisonment and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

ABC News affiliate KABC-TV in Los Angeles filed this report.