A popular disc jockey (DJ) yesterday pleaded guilty to committing two traffic offences and was fined $60,000.
Akelo Elliot also known as DJ Akelo, 31, was charged with driving dangerously and failing to obey traffic light signals on April 5. Elliot pleaded guilty to the charges that were read to him by Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul at the Better Hope Community Centre, where court matters are temporarily being heard.
Police Prosecutor David Goodridge told the court that on the day in question, around 14:20 hrs, Sergeant Griffith and Constable Saul were on patrol when they noticed a white Toyota 212 that failed to stop at a red light at the University of Guyana junction, East Coast Demerara. As a result, Constable Saul put on his siren to alert the driver, but the driver of the car continued to proceed. Goodridge said the driver, on reaching the next traffic light, turned when it did not indicate for him to do so. He also continued to speed, causing other motorists to pull off the road to avoid a collision. The driver was finally apprehended at Good Hope after he was forced to stop and was arrested by the police, the prosecutor added.
Appearing on behalf of Elliot was attorney-at-law Charles Ramson, who told the court that his client had stopped at the siren sound.
Elliot also told the court, before he pleaded guilty to the charge, that he is known to the police since he is a popular disc jockey, and there was no need for him to flee the police.
Elliot was subsequently fined, $50,000 for dangerous driving and $10,000 for breach of traffic signals. Failure to pay the fine could land him in prison for 8 months and 4 weeks respectively.
