R Kelly: Infected toenail is singer’s excuse for missing court hearing

Singer was apparently worried his toe would be trampled while he was being escorted to and from court

R Kelly appears during a hearing in Chicago, Illinois, 17 September 2019 (Getty Images)

R Kelly’s lawyer has claimed that an infected toenail prevented the disgraced R&B singer from attending a hearing for his child pornography case in Chicago.

Kelly is currently detained at a jail a short distance from the courthouse, and was expected to appear at a status hearing on Wednesday 30 October.

However, defence lawyer Steve Greenberg told federal judge Harry Leinenweber that one of Kelly’s toenails had to be removed as treatment for an infection, and the singer was worried someone might step on the toe as he was escorted to and from court.

Judge Leinenweber said that he would rule at a later time on motions to dismiss some charges and reconsider allowing bond.

Kelly has pleaded not guilty to charges against him in Chicago and New York. He is accused of a racketeering scheme to sexually abuse underage girls.

His next hearing has been set for 13 February.

Additional reporting by Associated Press