Popcaan rejects opportunity to apologise to police in court

Dancehall artiste Andrae 'Popcaan' Sutherland declined an opportunity to apologise to the police for his behaviour at Unruly Fest when he appeared in the St Thomas Parish Court on Wednesday.

The entertainer, who is a native of the parish, was charged and placed before the court for his foulmouthed tirade towards the police during the recent staging of the event.

He pleaded guilty to using indecent language, disorderly conduct, using abusive and calumnious language and issuing a threat to police officers.

However, the entertainer will have to return to court on February 9, when the crown will decide how to proceed in relation to the breaches of the Noise Abatement Act, as the permit for the event was not granted in his name.

After the 'Unruly Boss' pleaded guilty, presiding judge Sanchia Burrell asked Popcaan, “Do you have anything to say to the police today?”

“I don't have nothing to say,” Popcaan said.

Popcaan was fined $1500 or 10 days' imprisonment on each count.

Matthew Hyatt, who represents the entertainer along with Bert Samuels, told reporters that his client, in rejecting the opportunity from the judge, had nothing more to say.

“I spoke on his behalf, he is still aggrieved that we have taken this position and rightly so. He has nothing to say to the police,” Hyatt said.

On December 23, 2023, Unruly Fest returned to Yallahs in the parish after a two-year hiatus.

- Andre Williams

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