STAR of the Month: Tommy Lee plans to run the place ... again

Shortly after Tommy Lee Sparta arrived on the scene in 2010, he was considered one of dancehall's most controversial figures.

The artiste's career seemed to get off to a sensational start, but his climb to the top was stunted by a number of setbacks, including a car accident, his adoption of the 'demonic' nickname, and an ill-fated trip to Dominica.

In November 2013, when he was on his way to a birthday party, Tommy Lee's car careened off the road and crashed into a tree, badly injuring his right leg. Not long after, he found himself in jail, accused of being involved in criminality.

He was never found guilty of any criminal conduct even though cops were adamant that he was influencing the commission of crimes in western Jamaica.

But having been before the courts for three years, Tommy Lee Sparta said he "just wish dem woulda free me up right now" so that he can run the place again.

"A run me a come run di place when me court done cause me know what fi, do but me caah do exactly wah fi do when me tie up suh inna di system," he said, adding that the justice system can "break yuh down to pieces".

The artiste is currently before the court on lottery scamming charges. He, along with three others, are charged with possession of identity information and unlawful use of premises under the Law Reform Fraudulent Transaction (Special Provisions) Act.

It is alleged that in February 2014, the police raided a house in the Kingston 5 area, where lottery scamming paraphernalia was found.

Tommy Lee last appeared in court on July 11, but the case was postponed to October 13.

Convinced that he will be freed of the charges, Tommy Lee says that he is preparing for an inevitable end to the case.

"Mi can run the street if mi want. Now, mi seh mi a do it, but mi nah put out the full energy a true mi have court, an' mi nuh wah victory come and mi nuh get the success a it fully. But mi haffi show some man mi can do it. Nuh true yuh nuh see mi suh - mi under the radar. Know seh mi court soon done. When court done, is a different ting," Tommy Lee said.