Lady Leshurr says trial was 'hardest battle of her life'

Lady Leshurr has opened up about the devastating impact a court case, where she was found not guilty of assault, has had on her mental health and career.

The rap artist said rebuilding her reputation after the case had been one of the biggest challenges of her life.

"Mentally, I'm at the lowest of the low," she said.

In an exclusive interview with BBC WM, the musician added: "One of the hardest times was having to sit in a cell on the anniversary of my sister's death.

"Knowing that I couldn't visit her grave, be there for the kids and knowing they had to see all of this during that time was horrible."

Following the death of her sister, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2019, Lady Leshurr has taken on the joint responsibility of raising her children.

"They've lost both parents, so I don't want them to see their parent-figure in this light - that's been the hardest thing," the rapper, real name Melesha O'Garro, said.

"I never stopped praying and I do believe my sister has been with me throughout this whole process."

A jury found the former BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter not guilty of two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after she was accused of assaulting her ex-girlfriend and her then partner.

In her first interview since the court case she said the events of the past year had sent her "upside down".

"I feel like God has just given me one of the toughest, hardest battles and challenges I'm ever going to have in my whole entire life," she said.

"Even though I was found not guilty, no one wants to work with you. It's up to me to turn this around.

"There hasn't been enough coverage on the fact that I've been found not guilty."

Speaking to BBC WM, the former Dancing On Ice contestant announced plans for a return to live performances.

The low-key tour would have an "intimate kind of vibe", she added.

"I kind of want to put this to rest, but at the same time I can't not speak about it because I feel trapped," she added.

She said the gigs would be small, with a maximum of 200 people in attendance.

Sherelle Smith, 29, from Yardley, Birmingham, on trial alongside Ms O'Garro, was also cleared of assault.