international news _ 18th June, 2007

UK Hard Dance Producer Remanded On Murder Charges

Text by Jonty Skrufff (Skrufff.com)

Hotly tipped UK hard house/ trance producer Lee Osborne was starting his second month in jail this week, after being accused of being involved in the murder of Jon Bartlett, 29, in South East London last year.

Mr Bartlett, a car mechanic, was shot dead on 31 March 2006 On Chislehurst Common, shocking neighbours in the staunchly middle class London suburb.

66 year old resident Michael Waters told the BBC he’d heard 'loud bangs' on the night of the killing, which he attributed to 'yobs letting off bangers' until he heard of the killing the next day

"I'm amazed because I never expected it to happen. I have been here 30 years and we have never had anything like this," he said, "Round here you do not think of firearms."

Starting his musical career in 2003, Lee rapidly established himself as a rising star on the hard dance scene, working with Ali Wilson from the Tekelec crew and DJing throughout London at clubs including Riot and Twisted and his own event Yes! At the beginning of 2007, he unveiled his new label Reborn (backed by hard dance supremo BK) and speaking to Trance website Trance.nu, sounded happy and optimistic about his plans for the year,

"In terms of DJing, when Yes! comes back I'm probably going to try and remain as exclusive to the event as possible in London although I do have a tour of Brasil and Ibiza so I'm looking forward to that," he said.

"The label is taking up most of my time so as that's what I really want to concentrate on – it's looking bright and I'm very excited," he added.

Lee stands trial at the Old Bailey on August 17 accused of 'assisting' fellow defendant John Seton.