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Alleged court filings: McCartney mistreated wife

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LONDON, England (CNN) -- Former Beatle Paul McCartney has vowed to "vigorously" defend himself against allegations of mistreatment allegedly made by his estranged wife, former model Heather Mills.

The couple, which has a 2-year-old daughter, are in divorce proceedings.

The charges are made in documents initially published by two London newspapers, the Daily Mail and the Evening Standard, which described them as extracts from court documents. CNN was not able to determine if the documents cited had actually been filed with the court.

The accusations include allegations that McCartney shoved Mills over a coffee table, stabbed her with a broken wine glass stem and verbally humiliated her in front of business associates, family and staff.

The documents also alleged that the musician used illegal drugs and consumed "alcohol to excess."

The law firm representing Heather Mills McCartney told CNN that court documents have been filed, and that Mills stands by the documents filed in court, but would not say whether the documents cited by the newspapers are the same as those filed with the court.

The documents published on the newspapers' Web sites appear to be unsigned drafts of court filings.

"Since the breakdown of his marriage, Sir Paul McCartney has maintained his silence in not commenting on the media stories, believing that it was best for all concerned, particularly his children, for there to be some dignity in what is a private matter," the musician's spokesman, Paul Freundlich, said in a written statement.

"Our client would very much like to respond in public and in detail to the allegations made recently against him by his wife and published in the press but he recognizes, on advice, that the only correct forum for his response to the allegations made against him is in the current divorce proceedings. Our client will be defending these allegations vigorously and appropriately.

"Our client is saddened by the breakdown of his marriage and requests that his family is allowed to conduct their personal affairs out of the media spotlight for the sake of everybody involved."

Other British media have quoted a McCartney friend as saying the former Beatle is furious and "the gloves are off."

The 64-year-old musician has won 13 Grammy Awards and one Academy Award. He and Heather Mills, 38, married four years ago. They announced their separation last May, saying they intended to have an amicable divorce for the sake of their daughter, Beatrice.

People Magazine has estimated McCartney's worth at more than $1.6 billion. There are reports that he offered Mills a quick divorce settlement of $60 million in September, but that she rejected it.

He has said he did not ask Mills to sign a prenuptial agreement because he thought it would be "unromantic." The musician's first wife, Linda McCartney, died of breast cancer in 1998.

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Paul McCartney and Heather Mills married four years ago.

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