An Australian court has charged Brooklyn rapper Joey Badass with assault after allegedly punching a security guard before a show near Byron Bay on January 2.
According to a police statement, Joey Badass, 19, was walking towards the stage at The Falls Music and Arts Festival when he was asked to prove his identity.
Joey Badass, real name Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott, allegedly punched the 20-year-old guard, breaking his nose, before going on stage to perform his set.
The rapper was later charged with assault causing bodily harm and spent the night in police custody, the statement added.
Joey Bada$$ could be sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison if convicted.
He appeared in Lismore Local Court on January 3 and was released on unconditional bail, court official Melissa Everson said.
She added that Joey Bada$$ would not be required to appear when the charge is next listed in Byron Bay Local Court on March 19. He is free to fly back to the US and will be represented in court by a lawyer.
Melissa Everson would not say whether Joey Badass had entered a plea at this stage.
Joey Bada$$, who is the co-founder of the hip-hop collective Pro Era, is set to play four shows in Australia and New Zealand over the next week.
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A man has been killed in an apparent shark attack on September 9 at the popular tourist destination of Byron Bay, the most easterly point on the Australian mainland, officials say.
The 50-year-old man sustained severe injuries on his right leg at Byron Bay in New South Wales.
A swimmer brought him in to the beach but he was pronounced dead.
Beaches in the area have been closed for 24 hours and people are being warned to stay out of the water.
“At 10:45 police and paramedics were called to Main Beach after reports of a shark attack,” New South Wales police said in a statement.
The man was in the water when he was bitten by what was believed to be a shark, they said.
“He was seen floating in shallow water, close to the shore line, and dragged onto the beach. An ambulance was called and he was pronounced dead a short time later,” the statement said.
Police said the wife of the man – who has not been identified – was watching from the shore, ABC reported.
A man has been killed in an apparent shark attack at the popular tourist destination of Byron Bay
Mark Hickey said he tried to help the man.
“I saw what looked like seaweed but it was blood in the water,” he said.
“I didn’t know it was a person but when I realized, I ran out and waded to the bank and grabbed him and did CPR but it was too late.”
Mark Hickey told local media he saw a “six or seven foot” shark in the water.
Rescue organization Surf Lifesaving Australia said the beach was not supervised at the time of the attack as it had occurred a week before seasonal duties.
“But at the council’s request, lifeguards will be on duty for at least the next 24 hours ensuring the water remains clear,” it said in a statement.
There have been several shark attacks off Australia’s beaches in recent years.
In April, a woman was killed as she swam off Tathra beach, also in New South Wales.
The Western Australia government, meanwhile, has ordered a cull of sharks, following at least six fatal attacks off the state’s beaches in three years.
Baited hooks have been installed off Perth’s popular beaches. Any shark more than three metres long – which could include Great White, Tiger and Bull sharks – will be shot.
The controversial move prompted thousands of people to take part in protests against the culls.
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