Musician charged with choking wife

The drummer of British heavy metal band Def Leppard yesterday denied choking his wife and slamming her head into an airport toilet wall.

Richard Allen, 32, was arraigned in West Los Angeles Municipal Court on a count of spousal battery and one count of false imprisonment.

Each count is punishable by up to a year in jail and a US$1,000 fine (HK$7,730). His trial was set for June 26.

The charges stem from a July 5 incident at Los Angeles international airport.

Allen allegedly pulled Stacy Allen, 35, into a toilet, choked her and slammed her head into a wall.

Mrs Allen told police the couple had been arguing about a pain in her ears.