Machel Montano guilty on five criminal charges; sentencing January 17

A magistrate returned guilty verdicts Monday against Trinidad & Tobago's reigning Power Soca Monarch and Road March King Machel Montano on five criminal offences.

Montano was charged along with Kernel Roberts, the son the late Calypso icon Lord Kitchener, Joel "Zan" Feveck, a member of Montano HD Family, and Rodney "Benjai" LeBlanc. They were charged with a series of criminal offences arising out a fracas outside the Zen nightclub, in Port of Spain in April 2007.

Magistrate Maureen Baboolal-Gafoor found Montano guilty on four charges of assault against Gerard Borwin, Brandis Browne, Janelle Lee Chee and Russell Pollonais. She also found him guilty of using obscene language during the same incident.

The magistrate also found Roberts guilty on two charges of assault. She dismissed charges against Benjai and Feveck.

Baboolal-Gafoor adjourned the matter to January 17, 2013. They remain free on bail pending her decision. Montano could be jailed for up to five years, which is the maximum penalty he faces.