Barbados | Artiste’s performance on counter of fast-food outlet lands him in jail

BRIDGETOWN (CMC):

A 27-year-old artiste was jailed for seven days after he pleaded guilty for making an unauthorised performance on the counter of a popular fast-food restaurant on New Year’s Eve.

Magistrate Douglas Frederick, saying that a strong message had to be sent for such behaviour, sentenced Timothy ‘Rugrat’ St Pierre to a week in prison for his action at the branch of the Chefette fast food in Bridgetown on December 31, 2019.

St Pierre had pleaded guilty to the charge of misconducting himself by behaving in an annoying manner.

The court heard that instead of placing an order when he entered the establishment, St Pierre jumped on the counter where customers collect their food and began chanting, causing people to move away from the area.

He then jumped off the counter and began dancing, further shocking management and customers in the 30-second performance that was recorded by customers and posted on social media.

An apologetic St Pierre told the court that he was a “big artiste” whose intention was to entertain the customers, but he was chided by Magistrate Frederick, who said the accused should have known better.

“You say that you are an artiste, and if that is true, you would know that you have to seek permission to perform on someone’s property. And you should know you can’t jump on the counter where people are getting their food.

“You have a responsibility as an artiste. I feel like sending you to prison, because the next thing you would have other people doing this. I don’t want this to become a trend. And how are you going to repair this damage, because once something goes out on social media it can’t be pulled back?” Magistrate Frederick said.

St Pierre then offered an apology to the court and to the owner of Chefette, saying, “ I am even willing to do an apology song.”

Chefette’s security manager, Shawn Thornhill, who was also present in court, said the incident had brought shame on the popular establishment.