VON BONDIES - VON BONDIES HAPPY WITH WHITE VERDICT

THE VON BONDIES are celebrating after JACK WHITE's assault and battery conviction, because his punishment means "justice has prevailed".

On Tuesday (09MAR04) the WHITE STRIPES singer pleaded guilty to the charges relating to an incident in Detroit, Michigan last December (03), which saw White launch an unprovoked attack on Von Bondies frontman JASON STOLLSTEIMER, leaving the rocker with a bruised and bloodied face.

White has escaped a prison sentence but has been ordered to pay a $500 (GBP275) fine and $250 (GBP138) in court costs. He's also been instructed not to contact Stollsteimer, and he will have to attend anger management classes.

A Von Bondies statement reads, "Unlike Mr White, we have been consistent and unwavering in our statement of December 15, 2003: Jason Stollsteimer was violently attacked by Jack White in an unprovoked incident at the MAGIC STICK nightclub in Detroit on December 13, 2003.

"As a result of this incident, Mr White was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and battery. Mr Stollsteimer was never charged with any crime.

"Now, the facts and evidence have been presented. Mr Stollsteimer did not, at any time, lay a hand on Mr White, but was a victim of Mr. White's rage. On March 9, 2004, in People vs John A White , Mr White pled guilty to the charge of assault and battery on Mr Stollsteimer. We are glad that the truth has finally been told and that justice has prevailed."