Reggae singer Jah Cure could be facing a longer stint behind bars as Dutch prosecutors move to overturn part of his earlier acquittal and impose a heavier sentence.
Officials from the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service have formally requested a 9.5-year prison term for the entertainer, born Siccature Alcock, in connection with the 2021 stabbing of concert promoter Nicardo “Papa” Blake. The request forms part of an appeal before the Dutch Court of Appeals, with a final ruling from the Supreme Court expected in November.
Jah Cure was initially sentenced in 2022 to six years in prison for attempted manslaughter, following an altercation with Blake in Amsterdam over unpaid performance fees. However, he was acquitted of the more serious charge of attempted murder after judges ruled the attack was not premeditated.
The prosecution’s appeal challenges that decision, arguing that the circumstances and severity of the act warrant a harsher penalty. Jah Cure’s legal team has also lodged an appeal, seeking to overturn the attempted manslaughter conviction altogether.
Since his arrest in October 2021, the artist—known for hits such as Longing For and True Reflections—has remained in custody in the Netherlands, with his musical career effectively on hold as his legal battle continues to unfold.
If the appeal succeeds, the singer could see his sentence extended by more than three years, potentially marking another major turn in a saga that has gripped both the reggae community and international media.
