90s pop star handed 12-month suspension order after smashing up ex-girlfriend’s café-Tori Brazier-Entertainment – Metro

Finley Quaye has escaped a jail sentence after causing damage to his ex-girlfriend’s establishment (Picture: JM Enternational/REX/Shutterstock)

A Brit Award-winning singer has been spared jail after admitting to smashing up the café owned by his ex-partner.

Finley Quaye, who enjoyed chart success in the 1990s and early 2000s, broke open the front door of his former girlfriend Rena Gawa’s business in Edinburgh on July 15, and proceeded to throw chairs and flowers before breaking a number of glasses.

The 49-year-old was then arrested after witnesses in a neighbouring shop heard the ruckus, spending the weekend in police custody.

Quaye previously admitted to behaving in a threatening and abusive manner towards Gawa and to wilfully or recklessly destroying property when he appeared at Edinburgh sheriff court.

The Sunday Shining singer was sentenced on Monday and handed a 12-month supervision order, after the court was told he arrived at the café in ‘an emotional state’ around 9am, according to The Times.

The court was also told that the doorframe of the property had been ‘splintered’ by Quaye, who then proceeded to damage the property inside.

Quaye enjoyed a golden year in 1998 with charts success, even nabbing a Brit Award for best British male solo artist (Picture: Rex/Shutterstock)

Quaye, whose 1997 album Maverick a Strike was certified double platinum, wanted to talk to Gawa after suffering a family bereavement, his solicitor Cameron Tait told the court.

Mr Tait also said that Quaye phoned the police himself, with the court hearing that he had been ‘incoherent’ during the call.

Reggae star Quaye, who also nabbed a Mobo Award in 1997, is the son of composer Cab Quaye and half-brother of Sir Elton John’s guitarist Caleb Quaye.

Mr Tait explained that Ms Gawa was not seeking a non-harassment order and still wished to remain friends with Quaye, despite their relationship being over.

Pictured in 2019, the Scottish star admitted to behaving in a threatening and abusive manner and to wilfully or recklessly destroying property (Picture: Vickie Flores/LNP/Rex/Shutterstock)

The musician’s most popular songs include Sunday Shining and Even After All (Picture: Phillip Carpenter/Rex/Shutterstock)

‘He was struggling and things boiled over,’ the legal representative added of Quaye, who he also confirmed is addressing substance abuse issues by attending Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous sessions.

Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss offered his sympathies to Quaye on his bereavement as he handed him his supervision order, and also agreed not to impose a non-harassment order.

Quaye, who was awarded the best British male solo artist gong at the Brits in 1998 has been praised for his laid-back combination of musical styles, including roots reggae and trip-hop.

He followed his debut album with Vanguard in 2000, which charted in the UK top 40 and has released a further five as of 2019.

The Scottish star reached number 10 in 1997 with record Even After All, which he followed with the likes of It’s Great When We’re Together and Your Love Gets Sweeter.

With Liam Gallagher at a Vogue party in 1998 (Picture: Richard Young/Rex/Shutterstock)

Quaye has a string of previous convictions, including causing criminal damage after a bust up with a London bus driver in June 2020.

He also previously threatened to shoot a bar manager after performing at a gig, for which he was spared a jail sentence again when he appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court in 2019.

An incident in Edinburgh in 2012, the same year he was declared bankrupt with a tax debt of £383,000, also saw him found guilty on a charge of aggravated assault and ordered to carry out 225 hours of unpaid work.

Metro.co.uk has contacted Finley Quaye’s lawyer for comment.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Ant and Dec helping to tackle crippling decline of children’s mental health across the UK

MORE : Jeremy Kyle, 58, announces wife is pregnant with his sixth child

Entertainment – MetroRead More