Dancehall artiste Laden said the matter for which he was arrested on Wednesday was a misunderstanding between himself and the police.

It was earlier reported that Laden, real name Okeefe Aarons, was taken into custody on Wednesday and charged with disorderly conduct and using indecent language.

The allegation is that at about 6:30 p.m., a friend of Laden was having a conversation with a female student. A police sergeant reportedly approached the student and enquired why she was still on the streets in her school uniform at that time of the evening, and ordered her home. Laden, who was nearby, told the student not to leave. An argument reportedly developed between Laden and the policeman, during which the artiste is reported to have used expletives.

slightly different story

Laden was booked to appear in the Santa Cruz Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

When contacted, however, Laden has a slightly different story.

"Yuh know seh mi deh pon de plaza (in Junction, St Elizabeth) bout inna de after five. Mi and mi friend a hang out and mi likkle sister (who is 15 years old) deh side a me. De officer a run har home and mi a seh officer a mi likkle sister and she safe. So him start get loud and a seh him nuh business, and me a seh him caan move har, 'cause my sister deh round har bredda," Laden told THE STAR.

He added: "Yuh done know seh dem (police) have the upper hand and a go seh me seh dis and me seh dat. To me, mi neva gwaan no way. Mi jus' mek him know seh a mi likkle sister and him caan move har from side a me."

Laden received station bail yesterday morning. However, he did not appear in court yesterday as he said the matter is being resolved.

According to Laden's lawyer, Conrad Powell, "We are working on a resolution of the matter. It was a misunderstanding."

Nonetheless, Laden still has a court date set for June 9.

Like the title of one of his songs, Laden is saying he is sorry.

deal with people

"I'm sorry about everything that happen. But the police must know how to deal with people 'cause da likkle ruff up thing deh nah go work," said Laden, who leaves today for a show in Belize.

In the meantime, his album Time To Shine will be released in Japan in September. And he is currently negotiating an Internet album with VP Records. Laden also has other new tracks out, like Nah Mek Dem Hold Me Down, Bad Boys and She Seh She Like It.

"Yuh know seh mi deh pon de plaza (in Junction, St Elizabeth) bout inna de after five. Mi and mi friend a hang out and mi likkle sister (who is 15 years old) deh side a me. De officer a run har home and mi a seh officer a mi likkle sister and she safe. So him start get loud and a seh him nuh business."