So Solid Crew member admits gun charge

A member of the notorious garage act So Solid Crew was facing a stiff jail sentence today after pleading guilty to possessing a revolver.

Ashley Walters, 19, admitted a single offence of possession of a prohibited firearm when he appeared at London's Southwark Crown Court.

Walters, from Peckham, south London, who has had acting parts in Grange Hill and The Bill, was arrested after a confrontation with a traffic warden.

Prosecution counsel Stephen Holt told the court that Walters, a father-of-two, had parked in his Peugeot car in Canada Square, central London, on July 30 last year with his girlfriend.

He was next to a meter which was showing that time had expired.

Mr Holt told the court Walters was approached by traffic warden Olufemi Onafeko who asked him to either put money in the meter or drive off.

An argument erupted between the two and while a gun was never shown, Mr Holt said the traffic warden was so concerned about the defendant's behaviour that he called police.

When an armed response vehicle stopped the car the weapon was found wrapped in a sock in Walters girlfriend's handbag.

Defence counsel Simon Pentol said his client was of previous good character, and the case was adjourned to allow pre sentence reports to be prepared.

But Walters was refused bail after the judge Geoffrey Rivlin QC said the offence was so serious that a substantial custodial sentence was inevitable.

The judge added: "The defendant has pleaded guilty to an extremely serious offence, having in his possession a gun loaded with ammunition which was capable of being lethal."

The offence of possession of a firearm carries a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment.

A further charge of possessing the gun with intent to cause fear of violence was ordered to lie on file.

Walters's friends and family broke down in tears at the news that bail was refused. The case was adjourned to March 25.

Walters was a founding member of the garage group So Solid Crew, and went under the stage name of Asher-D.

He has also had a string of TV roles including playing Stuart Lawrence, the brother of Stephen Lawrence, in the TV programme, The Murder of Stephen Lawrence.

He has a seven-month-old daughter and a two-year-old son and has enjoyed enormous success with the garage act.

The band, which had a number one hit with 21 Seconds and won a Brit Award last month, has been dogged by controversy and violence during its short existence.

London mayor Ken Livingstone's race advisor Lee Jasper has criticised the criminal imagery in their songs, claiming the group's lyrics glamorise a "thug's life" of shootings and selling crack cocaine.

Early last year, Marcus Hall, an 18-year-old computer administrator, was stabbed and beaten to death after going to see the band at a Luton nightclub.

In May last year, one So Solid member was blasted in the leg after a confrontation outside another nightspot.

In the summer, violence erupted after the group appeared at a club in the Cypriot resort of Ayia Napa. One man was stabbed 11 times and only survived thanks to seven hours of surgery. Two others needed hospital treatment.

In November, two people were shot and wounded during a party at the Astoria Theatre in London held to celebrate the birthday of their singer Romeo.

Last October, band member Darren Weir, 22, was convicted of breaking a 16-year-old fan's jaw in two places in a Cardiff hotel lobby after she rejected his advances.

And at last month's Brit Awards there was an angry confrontation between So Solid members and Best Pop Act Westlife.

Outside the court, band spokeswoman Nina Santiago said Walters would remain a member of the So Solid Crew and that his record company would remain 100% behind him.

She said: "Actor and musician Ashley Walters, also known as Asher-D, of the So Solid Crew, was remanded in custody for three weeks after admitting possession of a firearm.

"This came to light as the result of an altercation with a traffic warden. Ashley, 19, was supported by his family and his partner and the mother of his two children. He has never been in trouble with the police before.

"Although securities and guarantees were offered bail was refused. The court noticed that Ashley had been co-operative at all times and admitted his responsibility.

"Sentencing will take place on March 25 when the unusual and extenuating circumstances of the case will be heard."

She added: "All his friends and family are very upset."

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