Finley Quaye
Quaye Escapes Conviction After Judge Throws Out Assault Case
British Reggae Star Finley Quaye's assault case has been thrown out of court after officials at Britain's Crown Prosecution Service forgot to request an adjournment.
The Dice hitmaker was arrested last July (09) after allegedly lashing out at his tour manager and biting him on the arm after he was prevented from retrieving a laptop computer from his dressing room.
Quaye was charged with assault and police reportedly found cannabis on the singer when he was apprehended at London's Roundhouse venue.
He was expected to stand trial in Highbury Corner magistrates court last week (08Apr10), but a judge dismissed the case because officials at the CPS did not apply for an adjournment after two witnesses told them they could not attend court this month (Apr10).
Deputy District Judge Mallins slammed the CPS' blunder as "a disgraceful piece of inefficiency".
Quaye admitted possessing cannabis and missing a bail hearing and was fined $950 (£650) with $150 (£100) costs, according to Britain's Daily Mail newspaper.
Banton Drug Trial Postponed
Reggae star Buju Banton will have to spend another two months in police custody after his trial date for drug charges was delayed until June (10).
Banton, real name Mark Myrie, has been behind bars since his December (09) arrest, when he was caught allegedly attempting to buy more than five kilograms of cocaine from an undercover law enforcement officer in Sarasota, Florida.
The case was expected to go to trial on Monday (19Apr10), but U.S. District Judge James Moody has now pushed the date back to June (10). No reason was given for the change.
Banton pleaded not guilty to the accusation in January (10) and his lawyer, David Oscar Markus, has filed an official complaint in court, claiming the U.S. government entrapped the star into a drug deal.
Banton faces up to 20 years in prison, if convicted.
He is due in court on 21 June.