EMBATTLED deejay Tommy Lee Sparta was barred by police from performing at Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay, on Thursday night.
The controversial deejay issued a statement condemning the police’s action, saying they breached his constitutional rights.
“How can the police prevent a citizen from engaging legitimate employment! My attorney-at-law will be filing action in the Supreme Court for financial compensation! I was ready to explode tonight,” the statement read.
Yesterday, a member of Tommy Lee Sparta’s team told the Jamaica Observer that he has been harassed for the last three years by the police.
“This has been happening from 2012, but it has been getting worse. He has been refused permits to host his birthday parties, and sometimes he is just picked up by the police and spends a night or a few hours in custody,” she said.
Tommy Lee Sparta, whose real name is Leroy Russell, is from Montego Bay. He also apologised to fans for his no-show at Dancehall Night which took place at Catherine Hall.
“To my loyal fans and friends, I regret to inform you that I will not be performing at Reggae Sumfest tonight because the police high command has refused me permission on stage.”
In a telephone interview with the Jamaica Observer yesterday, Senior Superintendent Steve McGregor, head of the St James police division, said the entertainer was fully aware that he would not be performing.
“We informed the promoters of the international festival that Tommy Lee would not be performing, and they complied. His management team was also informed. The show went on without him and it went well, as expected,” he said.
SSP McGregor said that the artiste is currently restricted from performing in the Area One Division, which comprises St James, Trelawny, Westmoreland and Hanover.
“That entertainer’s name is linked to the ongoing violence in Flanker and I personally warned him that he is not to perform in the division. It is unsafe to him and for the patrons. As a matter of fact, he is to come in to the station and be interviewed by the police in relation to the violence,” the senior officer said.
“I told him to bring along his attorney if he desires,” he continued.
Just this week alone, 10 persons have been gunned down in separate incidents across the parish of St James.
TOMMY LEE ? MET WHO NAME SUH……been seeing him pop up here and there. is he a dj ? he has a fan base?
nah look pan u eno :maho
:hammer
Can the government do that? Stop a man from working without evidence or charge? Hmm be careful jamaica is going down a slippery slope.. It can start happening to regular working class pol
I respect your concerns but if there is a security reason the forces should intervene.They might have intelligence on matters concerning his life.
I think it might be more of a public safety issue and his association with the thugs from that area. Maybe the intelligence suggest he is in cahoots with a major gang from Area One Division. Remember, Kartel was responsible for over 100 murders and he was a very popular entertainer.
I think you mean allegedly “responsibly for 100 murders” because i only know of him being convicted for one..
There were 1,193 murders in Jamaica in 2013. Of those, about 193 were solved. Therefore, by your reasoning, there were only 193 murders. The other 1,000 were “alleged” murders. There just didn’t occur. Your stupidity is limitless!
Powell did come pon nationwide and tell cliff Hughs seh Tommy Lee wanted for questioning meritol murder
Tommy fi you and innocent ppl safety jus tan yuh baxide a yuh yaad.
Ok anonymous 4:37 pm i see that your mad because you made a statement that wasnt a proven “fact” so i try to correct that it was that he allegedly killed 100 ppl, and we are talking about vybz kartel btw. You resort to calling me stupid.. Laughable dear sir or ms whoever you are, when you dont have any evidence to prove what you are say its ALLEGED! Vybz kartel was not charge are convicted of those 100 murders so whats your point again? Your STUPIDITY IS AMAZING!
Everybody a Mobay know say Tommy Lee a big time scammer and a gangster, Only Heavy D his manager dont know that.