Bartender fined $3,600 on striptease charge

Police had raided Furious Pub on Mucurapo Street, San Fernando, last week, and listed Robinson as an owner of the nightclub. However, his attorney Richard Valere yesterday told Magistrate Melvin Daniel in the Fourth Court that his client was not admitting to the nature of employment. The attorney said the defendant was a bartender at the establishment. Robinson admitted to the six counts in which it was alleged that he aided and abetted dancers Kirby-Ann Forde, Desiree John, Isha Devnish, Peaches Alleyne and Simone Mahadeo to perform striptease dancing for patrons.

On Monday, four of the six women pleaded guilty to performing lewd and suggestive dancing and were placed on bonds to keep the peace. Warrants have been issued for two women who did not turn up in court to answer similar charges.

Yesterday, Valere submitted to the court that all of the patrons who were in the bar at the time of the raid should have been arrested. The attorney added, "Perhaps every calypsonian who produced music should be charged with aiding and abetting lewd and suggestive dancing."

Valere told the magistrate that Robinson’s common-law wife, Sara Basdeo, who had also pleaded guilty to the charges, was visiting Robinson when police entered the bar. Daniel entered a not guilty plea for Basdeo and postponed her case to next month.

Daniel fined Robinson $600 on each of the six counts. In default, Robinson was ordered to serve three months hard labour. He was ordered to pay $600 forthwith and the remainder by September 21.