Dancehall artiste Mavado, real name David Constantine Brooks, can now breathe a sigh of relief as he was yesterday cleared of all charges in connection with a shooting incident that occurred in 2007.

Mavado's lawyer, Tom Tavares-Finson says, "What happened is that I'd written to the director of public prosecutions stating that the accused, who is an entertainer, has been suffering a lot of hardships because of this case ... his US visa had been cancelled subject to the outcome of the case."

He continued, "I requested that the matter either go to trial or be terminated. A nolle prosequi (an entry in the court record to the effect that the plaintiff or prosecutor will not proceed) was entered this morning (Thursday) before Justice Lloyd Hibbert. The prosecutor's name is Mrs Seymour-Johnson."

Crown drops case

Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn, QC, yesterday signed a letter stating that the Crown would not continue criminal proceedings against Mavado. The letter was presented to the Gun Court and the matter against Mavado dismissed.

Mavado was charged in March with illegal possession of firearm and shooting with intent, following an incident that took place in July of last year in which it is alleged that he and Sameer Combs, the co-accused, were among a group of persons who shot at the complainant.

However, Mavado and the co-accused were both cleared of the charges as it was also reported that the witness in the case could not be located.

According to Mavado's manager, Julian Jones-Griffith, "We said from day one that we have all faith in the Jamaican justice system and that Mavado will be vindicated in this matter."