Singer Mark Morrison remanded in custody over weapon charge

THE SINGER Mark Morrison was yesterday remanded in custody after he was refused bail on a charge of possessing an offensive weapon, writes Kate Watson-Smyth.

He pleaded not guilty before Marylebone Magistrates Court after failing to turn up in court for a hearing scheduled for 14 January. The charge relates to an incident in west London last August when a truncheon was allegedly found under the driver's seat of his black BMW during a "routine stop".

He was arrested at Heathrow airport last night as he returned to Britain from Barbados and appeared in court smartly dressed in a black roll-neck sweater and grey-green check jacket.

The 25-year-old singer, who had an international hit with "Return of the Mack" in 1996, listened impassively as Elizabeth Hogben, the stipendiary magistrate, said he would be held in custody until 26 March.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to surrender to bail on 14 January and was fined pounds 100 or given the option of spending a day in jail.