Reggae Singer Anthony B Detained In Trinidad For Absconding Debt

Entertainer Anthony B was detained by Trinidadian police yesterday, minutes after a performance at the Hasley Crawford training grounds.

He was escorted to court immediately to answer to charges of absconding a debt of US$6,000 (J$694,730). He was represented by attorney Fitzgerald Hinds and appeared before Justice Des Vignes at Court 20 at Hall of Justice.

"They came for me just a few minutes after I had finished performing, they didn't want to put any handcuffs on me because they were afraid of how the crowd might react ... . I am just sorry that I wasn't able to sign any autographs for the long line of people backstage," Anthony B said after he was released.

He said promoter and complainant Barry Lewis had booked him for a show two years ago, but he had been unable to go because of his legal problems in the US, which prevented him from travelling at that time.

Anthony B said that the promoter for the show he worked on Saturday night was aware of the problem and had made provisions to pay the court the full sum owed.

Anthony B commended the professionalism of the law enforcement officials and the excellent conduct of the judge. He said their conduct would go a long way to "improve Jamaica-Trinidad foreign relations".

"The promoter wanted to get a stoppage order (which would stipulate) that I couldn't come back to Trinidad to perform unless it was for him. The judge refused to do that because that would infringe on my 'employment of trade' rights," he said.

Anthony B was ordered by the court to pay the complainant US$7,000 (J$810,520). He is expected to return to Jamaica today.