Studio engineer Freckles said that it was more than 10 years of pent-up frustration that caused him to attack and beat Rastafarian singer Luciano with a piece of metal pipe last week.

Friday at a gas station on Dunrobin Avenue, St Andrew, producer, songwriter and booking agent Freckles took a piece of iron and repeatedly beat singer Luciano, whose real name is Jepther McClymont, in retaliation for what he claims was an incident that took place in August 1998.

Police have confirmed hearing about the incident, but could not give any details.

Efforts to reach Luciano were unsuccessful. His booking agent confirmed that the singer had been attacked but she did not want to give details about the incident.

When the STAR spoke with Freckles, he explained what led to Friday's incident that is now being investigated by the police.

'Bad-mouthing'

Freckles said his pent-up anger at Luciano has been brewing since he assisted some Australian promoters to book the artiste for a tour. Money issues arose from the incident. After leaving Australia, Freckles said he heard that Luciano was 'bad-mouthing' him and continued to do so on his return to Jamaica.

Upon returning to Jamaica, Freckles said the two spoke and discussed the issue and agreed to meet at Luciano's office. Upon meeting with Luciano, a fracas ensued and Freckles claims that he was chopped by another individual who was present.

The booking agent also declined to comment on the allegations made by Freckles.

Doing physiotheraphy

The incident, Freckles said, was reported to the police, but no legal action was taken. Since then, he said, he and Luciano have not spoken and he has suffered in silence. "I still going into the hospital doing physiotheraphy. Mi nuh have propa use of ma hand since up to now mi still owe the hospital money. I needed to get my dignity back..."

For Freckles, his built-up frustration over the years and persons telling him that he should retaliate led to Friday's attack after a friend spoke to him. He said, "Five minutes afta we a talk bout it, I pass a gas station and see Luciano and him friends a laugh. Mi stop and was walking to him and see a pipe iron and took it up, I did what I did. I hit him a couple of times, him friend dem run weh and is Horace Andy haffi hold me and I stop, mi never run."