DRAGONS star Ian Gough is appealing his assault conviction and sentence after being fined more than £2,000 for attacking his beauty queen ex-girlfriend.

The 38-year-old player is appearing at Croydon Crown Court today.

He was found guilty in July last year of grabbing and pushing former Miss Wales Sophia Cahill against his van just days after she got engaged to pop star Dane Bowers.

Miss Cahill said she was "shocked and upset" after the attack, which happened when Gough arrived more than an hour late for a meeting at her home, which she shares with the former Another Level singer, in Croydon on the evening of January 5 last year.

He was fined £1,050, and ordered to pay a £105 victim surcharge along with a £775 contribution to prosecution costs and £200 in compensation to Miss Cahill.

Gough denied the charge and told reporters outside court last July that he would appeal his conviction.