New charge delays Scribe’s sentencing
Hip-hop artist Scribe’s sentencing on drug charges has been delayed, after it was revealed he has been charged with another offence in Auckland.
The 38-year-old, real name Malo Ioane Luafutu, had been due to seek a discharge without conviction in the Christchurch District Court yesterday after he was found guilty in March at a judge-alone trial on a charge of possession of methamphetamine.
The court was told he now had a further charge ‘‘of a domestic nature’’, which had been laid in Auckland last week. Judge Raoul Neave decided that the sentencing date would need to be adjourned to September 25. He wanted to know what happened with the other prosecution in the meantime.
Luafutu remains on bail. Some aspects of the submissions by defence counsel Elizabeth Bulger were suppressed.
The earlier charge said that on April 2, 2017, he had an offensive weapon, a bat, in a public place – Olliviers Rd, Christchurch – possession of the class A drug amphetamine, and possession of a pipe for using amphetamine.
Scribe handed himself in last year after police posted his photo on Facebook, saying he was wanted for failing to appear in court. The post, which was later deleted, urged the public not to approach him.
A response post on a Facebook page under Scribe’s name said: ‘‘No offence to the police but do u need assistance finding me? Where the f... am I gonna hide? I’m Scribe.’’
Last March, the music star revealed he would spend the next three months in a rehabilitation unit, his ‘‘greatest and most hardest crusade ever’’.
He wrote on Instagram about his struggles and planned admission to rehab, but said he was clean.
‘‘Addiction is a symptom, not a choice for me . . . I’ve overcome many trials and tribulations by embracing the truth, no matter how humiliating or shameful it may be.’’
Luafutu was 24 when he burst on to the New Zealand hip-hop scene with the singles Not Many and Stand Up.
His debut album, The Crusader, reached platinum five times (about
85,000 sales) in New Zealand and sold
100,000 copies in Australia after it was released in October 2003. His songs often discussed his struggle with fame and success, but not his addictions.
In 2008, Christchurch pawnbroker Shane Lilley took 11 of Luafutu’s awards as security for a personal loan. The rapper failed to repay the $5500 debt, and Lilley put four of the certificates marking Luafutu’s platinum sales on Trade Me.
In 2015, Luafutu put his life story on stage in the play The White Guitar, which also featured his brother and father. The play told the story of his history with gangs, homelessness and abuse.
‘‘I’ve overcome many trials and tribulations by embracing the truth, no matter how humiliating or shameful it may be.’’ Scribe, on Instagram