Reggae star faces assault trial

Banton was forced to cancel a show in Manchester last year

Reggae star Buju Banton is to go on trial next month in Jamaica for his alleged role in an attack on a group of six gay men, a judge said on Friday.

Banton, 31, and another man, Horace Hill, are accused of beating the men at a house in Jamaica, in June 2004.

Both men have pleaded not guilty. The trial is due to begin on 19 October.

Last year Banton and other dancehall acts had to cancel concerts in Europe and the US after protests by gay groups over their allegedly homophobic lyrics.

Banton was banned from playing in Manchester last September after complaints about the contents of his lyrics.

In June 2004, a concert in Hackney by fellow dancehall star Beenie Man was cancelled after similar complaints were made.

Beenie Man has had more than 50 number one hits in Jamaica and is one of the biggest names in the dancehall scene - a form of reggae.