Football coach Keishon Smith was arrested on an outstanding warrant issued because he did not pay a 2005 speeding ticket.

Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva said the 35-year-old’s claims that he was forced to spend a night in a jail when he had already paid the fine for the offence, were incorrect.

And he chastised UBP Senator Michael Dunkley for weighing in on the matter without knowing the facts.

The Royal Gazette reported yesterday that Mr. Smith was arrested and spent the night in jail last Thursday. The coach of Devonshire Colts and Knights claimed he was taken to Magistrates’ Court the following morning where it was discovered he had already paid the fine he was arrested for.

Mr. Dunkley later said: “I was shocked to see something like this happen. There are Police resources being spent on someone with a speeding ticket when we have people who are being shot and murdered and on and on. It defies common sense.”

Said Mr. DeSilva today: “While I cannot speak on behalf of Mr. Smith I believe his comments on Wednesday relate to a second speeding charge that occurred on a different date. Our records show that Mr. Smith did, in fact, pay a speeding ticket in 2006. But it was not the same one for which the Apprehension Warrant was issued. My staff have contacted Mr. Smith and explained this to him and hopefully - not withstanding his unfortunate experience of being in custody with us overnight - he now has a clearer understanding of what happened.”

He continued: “I am disappointed by the public statements from Senator Michael Dunkley that appear in today's media. His comments stem from a series of misrepresentations and a version of events that is not true.”

For the full story read tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.