Sugababe Amelle Steadies Freddie

SUGABABE Amelle Berrabah gives boyfriend Freddie Fuller a helping hand as he recovers from a machete attack that almost cost him his arm. Amelle, 23, helped Freddie, 25, as they left his Surrey home yesterday. He spoke two weeks ago to the News of the World about his ordeal. His speedy recovery amazed doctors, who discharged him from hospital earlier this week.

Sugababe’s Lover Reveals Nightmare

WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT

THE butchered boyfriend of Sugababes star Amelle Berrabah has relived his blood-drenched nightmare in a horrific machete attack that almost killed him. Freddie Fuller told how he repeatedly dodged the razor-sharp blade as his assailant tried to hack off his head. His left arm and right thumb were left hanging off - while blood pumped from gaping wounds in his skull, right leg and hand.

Since the Christmas Eve attack Freddie has been recovering in hospital with distraught Amelle, 23, by his side. He told the News of the World: "Amelle's been my rock throughout this ordeal - I love her more than ever."

She said: "He was left for dead. It was horrific - like a nightmare but worse because it was real."

The wannabe actor and ex-tree surgeon, 25, was set upon after a night out with his pals and pop star girfriend at Yates wine bar in Aldershot, Hants. He was walking from the pub and into the town centre at around 11.30pm when he sensed he was being followed down a quiet side street. Speaking from his hospital bed, shaken Freddie recalled: "Something told me to look over my shoulder. I don't know if it was a sixth sense but as I did I saw a silver blade flash past my eyes and on to my elbow. I looked down and saw the blade heading back up. I thought 'What the hell' and tried to lift my left hand to stop another blow. But I couldn't move it. I looked down and saw my arm had almost been cut in half - I could see where the bones and tendons had been severed. The only thing keeping it on was the muscle on the side. Then out raced the blood. "I just shouted out: 'You f***ing idot - you chopped off my arm.' But before I could take another breath, I felt a cut come across the left arm and I could see blood gushing out. "It was flowing so fast, there was a puddle on the ground. I kept shouting "Get me an ambulance!" But the attacker simply walked round to Freddie's front and took a swing at him head-on.

Terrified Freddie, who lives with chart-topper Amelle, tried to run to the Queen Victoria pub just 30 yards away - but slipped on pools of his own his blood and fell down. He recalled: "I heard the blade whistle through the air and saw it in the street lights heading towards my head. I tried to half-kick the weapon away. It seemed to have worked but then came this almighty searing pain in my left leg. The blade had chopped through some of my upper leg, just below the knee and above the shin - like a knife through butter. The sound of it reminded me of a butcher throwing a knife into a piece of steak. There was a quiet crack then the blade sinking into flesh. I looked down at my leg, and the blood was oozing out. But I think kicking out saved my life."

To his horror Freddie then realised he had other ghastly injuries. He said: "My leg had stopped me losing my head but the blade had still got through to the top of the skull, slicing my hand on the way down. My thumb was just hanging off my hand, limply flapping around. All the muscles and ligaments were sliced away, and more blood started seeping from that wound. But I felt I had to ignore any bleeding to survive. My adrenaline kicked in and I knew I had to do the best I could to save myself." As he lay helplessly on the ground, the swordsman repeatedly brought the 25in blade down on him.

Freddie - who Amelle has said she wants to marry - said: "It was coming down from the side and I feared it was going to behead me. I was trying to follow the blade and duck away at the last second. Several times I saw the blade crash into the ground, just millimetres from my face. Sparks flew up, and the smell was like gunpowder. At that point I didn't think I would see Christmas Day. But I was too scared to roll away in case my arm fell off completely. A couple of strikes grazed my legs, taking off the top layer of skin. As the last swing came down, I had no choice but to raise my right hand. I could hear the crack of the metal into my bones as it sliced through my muscle tissue. It left a V-shaped wedge, separated from the back of my hand. I see could the bones, and more blood bubbled away. But I was very lucky to be alive."

As Freddie struggled in a pool of blood he heard a woman screaming nearby. Those screams saved his life. The attacker booted him in the thigh and fled. Freddie dragged himself to the Queen Victoria pub and yelled to bouncers to help him. He said: "I just remember seeing everyone in the pub screaming and being hysterical. I must have looked like something from a horror movie. I had blood pouring out of me non-stop. I just couldn't contain the bleeding coming from everywhere. The only way to describe it was like I had been dipped into a bowl of warm custard - but the liquid was actually blood. As I waited for the medics I was terrified I would pass out and never regain consciousness. I sat on a chair and battled to keep awake. A mate of mine sat with me, doing his best to jam the halves of my left arm back together to stop the bleeding. Others tried to tie string around the limb to stop the blood." An ambulance arrived and he was rushed to Frimley Park Hospital.

Freddie said: "Someone phoned Amelle and she came to the hospital straight away. When she saw me I knew things were really bad. She burst into floods of tears but said: 'It's gonna be all right.' Since then she has been by my side all the time - she has been my angel. She has been very, very brave for me, and so supportive." By the time he got to hospital Freddie had lost FOUR PINTS of blood. The lethal limit is normally 3½. He was given an emergency blood transfusion straight away. Then he had a SIX-HOUR operation on Christmas Day morning. The severed bones in his arm were fixed in place with screws and wires. Then the muscles, soft tissues and nerve were stitched on. Severed tendons on the back of his hand and thumb were repaired with delicate microsurgery. And the wound on his thigh had to be stiched on the inside and outside. In total he was given nearly 100 STITCHES. Doctors fear it could take up to two years for him to recover.

Freddie has had three more blood transfusions in the last few days. He said: "The doctors have told me I am lucky to be alive, based on the amount of blood I lost. I really thought as the machete kept coming at me, 'This blow will cut me in half - I am going to die here.' But I was not actually in that much pain My adrenaline was pumping, and something inside was telling me to stay alive. "It's difficult to explain but none of what was happening felt real. I was fighting to survive. Now, as I sit in bed feeling really screwed up, I keep replaying that night in my mind." Doctors have told Freddie he will need constant care for eight weeks, followed by months of rehabilitation.

Caring Amelle, who replaced Sugababe Mutya Buena in 2005, has told him she plans to book him into a private hospital and pay for his treatment. She's said about his ordeal: "How one person can do that to another I don't know. I just hope Freddie can come through this, that is all I am thinking about. I haven't slept since it happened - I have been so worried." She added: "I brushed his teeth this morning and washed his face because he can't do anything himself at the moment. I watch every flicker of his eyes to see how he's doing."

On New Year's Eve, Amelle will briefly break her bedside vigil to perform with fellow Sugababes Keisha Buchanan and Heidi Range at London's O2 arena with Take That - as she does not want to let down her fans.

Meanwhile cops are investigating the attack on Freddie. A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and released on police bail. In recent years knife crime has spiralled in Britain. One shocking report claimed an offence involving a blade was committed every 24 MINUTES. And figures from 37 police forces, revealed there were 5,500 serious knife crimes in just three months this year. They included 55 kniferelated murders and 2,000 stabbings. Meanwhile victim Freddie is concentrating on recovering from his ordeal. He said: "I could not do it without Amelle. I would be lost without her - she is my world."

Source: News of the World

Sugababe Attack ‘A Family Feud’

DECTECTIVES investigating a machete attack on Sugababe Amelle Berrabah's boyfriend today arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder.

THE horror attack in which Freddie Fuller was nearly hacked to death followed a long-running family feud, The Sun can reveal. Hardman Fuller was left lying in a pool of blood after being slashed and stabbed with a machete on Christmas Eve. A source close to Amelle said: "She has a very good idea who's done this. The name has been mentioned to cops who are trying to find him but he's disappeared. People close to Freddie believe the attack is the result of a family feud. Amelle and Freddie's close family are convinced they know who's done this. They've given the name to police."

Tearful Amelle, 23, yesterday visited Freddie in hospital as he recovered from the street assault, in which his left arm was almost sliced off. The sexy singer spent most of the day at his bedside - but was boosted when doctors said a six-hour op to repair the limb was a success. Medics had earlier warned Freddie's devastated friends and family that they may have to amputate.

Witnesses told how the arm was left "hanging by a thread" after tendons were badly damaged during Monday's vicious assault in Aldershot, Hants. But a family pal said yesterday: "The good news is doctors reckon the surgery has been a success. Everyone, including Amelle, was afraid Freddie would end up losing his arm. He's a young man in the prime of life, so it would have been a cruel blow. But, touch wood, it looks like he's now on the mend." Amelle was joined by Freddie's mum at Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey.

Detectives believe the former tree surgeon knew his attacker, who fled the scene on foot. A source said: "There is believed to be some history between them."

Source: The Sun

Sugababe’s Lover Attacked

SUGABABE Amelle Berrabah’s boyfriend was last night seriously ill in hospital after his arm was almost hacked off in a savage machete attack.

Hardman Freddie Fuller, 25, was found lying in a pool of blood with his left arm “hanging by a thread” after the vicious Christmas Eve assault. Medics carried out an emergency six-hour op following the street attack in which Freddie also suffered huge gashes and stab wounds to his head and legs. A source close to shattered Amelle said last night: “She’s desperately upset. Freddie’s arm was almost hacked clean off and he lost a hell of a lot of blood. It was an horrific injury and the arm was hanging by a thread. If it hadn’t been for the speed of the paramedics he probably wouldn’t even be here now. It’s a miracle he survived.”

The attack came a year to the day after Freddie and a pal, 29, were detained by cops after a fight. It was sparked over claims a reveller had been touching Amelle’s bottom at a Surrey club. Cops were last night probing the theory that the attack on Freddie was in revenge for the 2006 incident. He and Amelle had been enjoying a night out with pals at Yates’s Wine Lodge in Aldershot, Hants. He was attacked at about 11.30pm outside the nearby Queen Victoria pub but managed to escape before collapsing. His attacker fled on foot.

He was taken to Frimley Park Hospital for surgery. Devastated Amelle, 23, spent Christmas Day by his bedside in intensive care. Medics have warned Freddie’s family the arm may have to be AMPUTATED if the repairs to the severely-damaged tendons do not heal properly. The source said: “Amelle was terrified that she was going to lose him. She has had a nightmare Christmas. She’s hardly slept and spent most of the time crying.” Freddie was set upon after a furious row with another man on a street corner. Ambulance bosses said paramedics called to the scene found a man with “serious arm and leg injuries”. Freddie, who was conscious and breathing, was taken immediately to Frimley Park. An ambulance service spokesman said: “Doctors were prealerted that he was on his way in and needed emergency treatment.”

A Hampshire Police source said Freddie had been “virtually unable to defend himself”. He added: “We’re still searching for the weapon which may have been discarded.” The source said there was “believed to be some history between the two men”. They were the only ones involved in the incident. The source added: “As far as we know, Amelle was not there at the time of the attack although she went to the hospital as soon as she heard.” A family source said former tree surgeon Freddie’s attacker was “someone he knew pretty well”.

Source: The Sun

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All of our thoughts and prayers are with Freddie, Amelle, and Freddie’s family at this moment in time. We wish Freddie a speedy recovery.

Vote For The ‘Babes @ The Virgin Media Awards ‘07

The Sugababes are nominated for Best Track (About You Now) and Best UK Act at the Virgin Media Awards ‘07. Amelle is also nominated for Most Fanciable Female, which she won last year.

Please make sure you vote for the ‘babes and Amelle here: www.virginmedia.com/music/awards2007
You can vote more than once, but may have to leave it a day before voting again.

Amelle Is Not Leaving The Group

Contrary to speculation Amelle Berrabah is not leaving Sugababes. Amelle and her bandmates Keisha Buchanan and Heidi Range are in rehearsals this week for forthcoming live shows and have just completed filming for the video for their new single About You Now which will be released on 24th September, upfront of their new studio album Change which is released on 8th October.

There have been no auditions for a new band member.

Keisha said “Things couldn’t be better in the band at the moment. Amelle, Heidi and I are a rock solid team”.

Amelle said “I’m 110% committed to Sugababes. It’s a dream come true. I can’t wait to perform the new album live”.

Heidi said “This is our best album yet and we are all looking forward to getting out there to promote it”.

Sugababes Still Sweet On Amelle

SUGABABE KEISHA BUCHANAN has vowed to stand by troubled bandmate AMELLE BERRABAH. The pop industry has been awash with rumours Amelle was on the verge of being kicked out of the band. She has been under pressure to dump her gipsy lover FREDDIE FULLER and it was claimed she was even given a "him or us" ultimatum by the rest of the group. But Keisha has insisted the band support Amelle and want her to stay.

In February Fuller was accused of raping Amelle's younger sister but he insists he is innocent and Amelle has stood by him. Keisha told me: "We're here to support Amelle no matter what happens." Referring to Amelle getting her big break with the group, she added: "Sometimes, when you're given something, your friends and family can take it in a negative way. Unfortunately Amelle has been dealt a hard hand when it comes to her personal life. But she's never had to choose between her boyfriend and the band."

Amelle replaced MUTYA BUENA and joined Keisha and HEIDI RANGE in the chart-topping trio 18 months ago. Keisha admitted she no longer talks to former bandmate Mutya. She said: "I think it's difficult for her seeing us moving on. We just don't talk. But me and Heidi are here if she wants to pick up the phone."

The band's current trio are looking sexy and sophisticated in this new group shot. Their new single, About You Now, is out on September 24. It's the first single from their fifth studio album - a prolific tally for a girl group.

Taken from today's edition of The Sun

Amelle: “I’M INNOCENT”

SUGABABE star AMELLE BERRABAH is "devastated" following her arrest after fighting another girl on Sunday (29Apr07) - but insists she is "innocent".

The 23-year-old pop star has been accused of attacking an 18-year-old girl in a nightclub in Surrey, south east England on Sunday morning. She was partying at the Bar Med club in Guildford, Surrey in the early hours when she got into an argument with a fellow club goer. She was dragged outside by a bouncer, but continued to fight with the girl outside the club.

But speaking from America, where she joined the band after being released on Sunday without charge, she insists she did nothing wrong. She explains, "I am devastated this has happened when things were going so well with the band. We've just had a great tour and I was just having a drink with my sister Laila relaxing on a day off. What happened was unbelievable and my sister got hit by one of the boys in the group. I am the innocent party here and the other girls should be the one punished, not me."

Surrey police said they were "continuing with their enquiries".

Amelle Arrested

A TEENAGE girl told last night how Sugababes star Amelle Berrabah launched a frenzied attack on her in a bar — and even carried on after cops arrived.

Raging Amelle, 23, newest member of the girlband, was dragged off her terrified victim by bouncers. They were so appalled they called police, and the singer was arrested when she allegedly attacked the girl again in front of officers outside the venue.

The 18-year-old victim, too scared to be named, said: "She just went mad and attacked me. I was thrown into a friend and we both hit the ground. Amelle started kicking me but ended up hitting my friend in the head as well. It was terrifying. The blows just rained down and she wouldn’t stop."

Bouncers took the girl aside to protect her from Amelle, who was led outside. Once cops arrived at Bar Med in Guildford, Surrey, the girl was also taken outside in the belief she would be safe. But Amelle saw red and lunged at the victim in front of disbelieving officers.

The girl said: "I couldn’t believe it. She didn’t care police were there, she just went for me again. The police grabbed her and locked her in the van. She’s crazy."

The brawl erupted over a long-standing feud between the two. Witnesses said the singer pushed the girl over, then began "stamping and kicking". One witness said: "Amelle just went crazy. She was screaming at the girl and kept kicking her. There were arms and legs flailing everywhere."

Amelle spent the night in the cells before being released.

The victim told cops she does not want to press charges for fear of reprisals. But her pal gave a statement, and the CPS could still prosecute Amelle if there is enough evidence. A police spokesman said: "A 23-year-old female was arrested following an incident at a Guildford town centre bar. She was questioned and released on bail pending further enquiries."

Amelle has been dogged by controversy since she joined the Sugababes — whose hits include Hole In The Head and Easy — in December 2005. In February her ex was arrested for allegedly raping her younger sister, and her older sister was nicked for alleged theft at the hospital where she works.

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Mutya Vs Amelle

Ex-Sugababe Mutya Buena has been mixing it up… She has supposedly claimed that someone is stealing her identity and copying her look. But who would do such a thing? Well, according to Mutya it’s her Sugababes replacement, Amelle Berrabah.

And if you go around making claims like that don’t be surprised when the other person gets wind of it. Yup, Amelle has piped up - she told the Daily Mirror: “I was really upset when I heard she said I was a clone who copied her voice and her look. It was totally out of order.”

Perhaps Mutya will feel a wee bit sheepish when she hears that one of the songs she’s using on her new album was actually penned by ‘the clone’ herself. Amelle said: “I wrote it before I joined the Sugababes. I don’t think Mutya knows that.”

Source: Sky News

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