WESTERN BUREAU:

A bench warrant has been ordered for the arrest of controversial dancehall artiste Rodney 'Bounty Killer' Price, following his no-show in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

However, the execution of the warrant has been stayed until August 21.

Price was booked to appear in court to answer charges of disorderly conduct and using indecent language during his performance at Reggae Sumfest two weeks ago.

Left the island

His attorney, George Thomas, told Resident Magistrate Sandria Wong-Small that the deejay had left the island.

"I got a phone call to say that Mr Price is off the island as he is contracted to work in the Virgin Islands and this is not out of disrespect for the court," Thomas said.

According to the attorney, the deejay should have known that court matters take precedence over every other event that he may have had to attend.

Thomas also asked Wong-Small that any arrest warrant order be stayed.

Bounty Killer was arrested and charged on July 18 after his performance at Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay.

He was cited by the police for allegedly using expletives when he reacted angrily to boos from patrons after he made unsavoury comments about fellow dancehall artistes Moses 'Beenie Man' Davis and Desmond 'Ninja Man' Ballentine.