A Netherlands judge, on Tuesday, ruled that Jah Cure should continue serving his six-year sentence for attempted manslaughter in that country.

The reggae singer was appearing in court for a pro forma hearing. He is scheduled to return on April 18.

“The judge decided to keep Jah Cure in detention and the next pro forma date is set on 18th of April,” Tuscha Essed, press officer at the Public Prosecution Office to the Court of Appeals in the Netherlands, told the Jamaica Observer in a written explanation.

“There’s no news on this case.”

In a pro forma hearing, a judge decides whether or not a person should remain in detention. It occurs every 90 days.

In March 2022, Jah Cure (given name Siccature Alcock) was sentenced to six years for stabbing a show promoter over unpaid monies. The singer was acquitted of the more serious charge of attempted murder. He has been incarcerated since October 2021.

According to police report, Jah Cure, 43, stabbed show promoter Nicardo “Papa” Blake in his abdomen at Dam Square in Amsterdam in October 2021. Blake, the principal of Roots Vibes, which stages reggae shows in the Netherlands, was reportedly later hospitalised.

Following the singer’s sentencing, Dutch prosecutors appealed to the court against the acquittal of the attempted murder charge.

Throughout the years, Jah Cure has had several brushes with the law. He was convicted of rape and illegal possession of a firearm in April 1999 and served eight of a 15-year sentence in prison. He was released in July 2007.

Incidentally, his first concert after being released from prison took place in the Netherlands at the Reggae Sundance festival in August 2007. He was the headlining act.

Jah Cure is known for the hit songs Longing For, Love Is (2005), and True Reflection (Prison Walls). His 2015 album The Cure, which included the songs That Girl, Rasta, and Life We Live, earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Reggae Album that year.

His 11-track album Undeniable is set for release in February.

— Brian Bonitto