Popcaan’s Bench Warrant Stayed After He Missed Court For Traffic Charges
Dancehall star Popcaan, whose real name is Andrae Sutherland, has been ordered to attend the Yallahs Traffic Court in St Thomas on November 4, after he missed today’s hearing on the matter involving over a half dozen traffic charges.
A bench warrant had been issued for the 33-year-old Risky artist, however, Popcaan’s lawyer informed the court that the singer was not present since he was in quarantine, after travelling from the United Kingdom.
The warrant was stayed until the next hearing in November.
Popcaan had been in the UK since August 1, where he launched a new clothing line, performed at the O2 arena, and appeared to be working on his new album.
During his last court appearance on June 3, the artist pleaded not guilty to several charges in breach of the Road Traffic Act which include operating an unlicensed motor vehicle, driving without insurance coverage, having no valid certificate of fitness, having no fixed registration plate, driving without a helmet, driving with no side-view mirror, and careless driving.
The charges were laid in late April after the St. Thomas cops said they intercepted Popcaan and his nine-vehicle convoy in the parish.
The singer had previously told the court that he was not riding the three-wheel motorcycle when the police intercepted his convoy. According to him, it was lying on the side of the road when the police arrived.
In April, a day after his arrest, Popcaan ranted on Twitter, and alleged that he was being unfairly targeted by the St Thomas cops. However, the cops have since denied Popcaan’s assertions and have contended that nobody is above the law, and that “everyone travelling through the parish must have a vehicle that is properly regulated and deemed fit for the road.”
If found guilty under the Road Traffic Act, the El Chapo singer faces a $15,000 fine for driving a motor vehicle on a road without a valid certificate of fitness; a $10,000 for driving a motor vehicle on a road without it being registered in the prescribed manner; a $20,000 for driving a motor vehicle in a careless manner; a $5,000 fine for the un-affixed registration plates; a $40,000 fine if he is found to not be the holder of a permit or driver’s licence; and a $8,000 fine for failure to wear a protective helmet in the prescribed manner of the prescribed shape, quality, construction or standard, while driving or riding on a motorcycle.