Legal trouble: Justin Bieber charged with assault in Canada
Justin Bieber is facing legal trouble in two countries now -- US and Canada. He was charged with assault for allegedly hitting a Toronto limousine driver last month, hours after his attorney entered a not guilty plea in Florida to drink driving and other charges.
Justin Bieber was charged with assault for allegedly hitting a Toronto limousine driver several times in the back of the head last month, just hours after his attorney entered a separate not guilty plea in Florida to drink driving and other charges.
The baby-faced 19-year-old turned himself in to a Toronto police station Wednesday evening, arriving amid a crush of media and screaming fans. He was charged with one count of assault and is scheduled to appear in court in Toronto on charged with March 10.
Police allege was one of six people who were picked up by a limousine from a nightclub in the early morning hours of December 30, and there was an altercation while en route to a hotel.
Police said during the altercation one of the passengers hit the limo driver in the back of the head several times. "The driver stopped the limousine, exited the vehicle and called police," a statement said. "The man who struck him left the scene before police arrived."
Howard Weitzman, Bieber's attorney in California, said his client is innocent and declined to comment on the allegations against Bieber or any potential defense, saying it was now a matter for the court to handle.
Weitzman said he expects the case to be treated as a summary offence, which is the equivalent of a misdemeanour in the United States. "The Toronto Police Service requested that Justin Bieber appear in Toronto today to face an allegation of assault relating to an incident on December 29, 2013. We anticipate that this matter will be treated as a summary offence, the equivalent of a misdemeanour in the United States," he said in a statement.
Brian Greenspan, Bieber's Canadian attorney, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
Bieber emerged from a black SUV wearing a winter coat and a backwards ball cap before being led through a throng of police and reporters. Many waited for his arrival for over an hour in freezing temperatures.
It was yet another sign of the crazy lifestyle that has taken over Bieber's image.
Earlier on Wednesday, Bieber pleaded not guilty in Florida to charges of after driving nearly twice the speed limit on a Miami Beach street. He also pleaded not guilty to resisting arrest and driving with an expired license.
The Canadian pop star lately has drawn more attention for his brushes with the law than for his music. His arrival at the Toronto police station was no different - the singer debuted a music video for his song Confident on Wednesday afternoon, just as news of his expected arrest was breaking.
Bieber remains under investigation for felony vandalism in Los Angeles County over an egg-tossing episode that damaged his neighbor's home. Detectives searched his home on January 14, and prosecutors have sought additional information before determining whether to pursue charges.
The cases have overshadowed the recent release of his latest album. Its reception has been far from the chart-topping success Bieber had after he debuted in 2009, with multiple platinum albums.
Last , Bieber made headlines for everything from clashing with a paparazzo to fainting at a show to being photographed smoking marijuana. The paparazzo is suing Bieber for assault and battery.
German authorities charged him thousands of dollars after he abandoned a pet monkey that they seized from him for failing to have proper vaccination papers.
The singer also had to apologise to after cursing the former president and spraying his photo with cleaning fluid in a New York City restaurant kitchen.
Bieber was discovered through a YouTube video of him performing, and his career has been guided by a pair of music industry heavyweights, singer Usher and manager Scooter Braun. He has been nominated for two Grammy Awards for his 2010 full-length album debut My World 2.0, but his popularity has waned.
Braun tweeted Wednesday evening, "i ask people to be kind and hope for the best in people. not assume the worst. Thanks."
Jon Bollock, a 14-year-old fan waiting for Bieber to arrive outside the Toronto police station, said he wanted to see Bieber but said "it's pretty embarrassing for Canada."
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