Case deferred after reggae star Finley Quaye failed to pay lawyer

The sentencing of reggae star Finley Quaye, who carried out a racially aggravated assault on a woman in Edinburgh, has been deferred after he failed to pay his lawyer.

Quaye had earlier admitted spitting on a woman's face and punching her in Leith Walk in October 2011.

Sentence on the 38-year-old, from London, had been deferred for reports.

However, his lawyer withdrew from the case after telling Edinburgh Sheriff Court he had not been paid.

The case was deferred again until 5 October.

Sheriff Fiona Reith told Quaye he could either represent himself or hire another lawyer.

Quaye said he thought it would be better to have legal representation.

The sheriff told him: "If you are going to engage a lawyer, you will have to pay. People don't do it for nothing."

Sheriff Reith ordered a further report on the full range of options available to her as an alternative to custody, including unpaid work in the community.

Quaye, who was brought up in Leith, had a number of hits in the 1990s.

The son of jazz musician Cab Kaye, he won the 1997 Mobo Award for the best reggae act and the 1998 Brit Award for best male solo artist.