Family Feud Erupts Over £1 Million Fortune of Singer’s Half-Sister from ‘It Wasn’t Me’ Duet with Shaggy

THE half-sister of a singer who co-wrote the hit single It Wasn’t Me has been handed a £120,000 court bill after losing a family fight over their dad’s £1m will.

The British-Jamaican vocalist Rickardo “Rik Rok” Ducent performed the main vocals on the timeless track with reggae icon Shaggy – where he sings about getting caught cheating on his girlfriend.

Ironically, Rik’s own father’s dalliances left him embroiled in a gritty court battle with his half-sister, Sarah Ducent, for his mum’s share in the estate.

Judges previously dismissed the case last year – but the family was back in court last week after Sarah challenged the £126,000 bill made against her to cover Dorothy’s legal fees.

She labelled the bill “excessive” and “disproportionate” and claimed she “just doesn’t have that sort of money to pay” – but ultimately lost the bid.

At Central Lond County Court, Judge Jane Evans-Gordon noted there were no grounds for challenging the six-figure order.

The successful solo artist, whose “honeyed” voice was praised by critics, found himself in the fraught family feud after his father Herbert’s death in 2007.

The successful entrepreneur established a construction company in Jamaica, as well as a thriving bakery in Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, south London.

However, his “strained” relationship with Rik’s mum Dorothy and the “other women in his life” meant he fathered at least five other children with various other mothers.

Following his death, a court battle erupted between Dorothy – who was left all of his money under a will drawn up in Jamaica – and one of his other children, Sarah.

His English estate mainly comprised two neighbouring properties in Peak Hill, Sydenham, valued at around £900,000 – with more property forming his Jamaican estate.

Sarah went to court, claiming she was “on the breadline” and needed to secure “reasonable provision” from her dad’s estate.

In order to do this, she had to prove her dad’s legal permanent home was in London, not Jamaica.

This would determine whether the English courts had valid “jurisdiction” to deal with the claim.

The court heard that Herbert moved the family to Jamaica in 1983 – while Dorothy moved back to London in 1996 .

The entrepreneur never visited England again after this.

At least one witness had to give video evidence from Jamaica – and Rik also had to “fly in” to testify.

The judge concluded: “I am satisfied that Herbert was domiciled in Jamaica at his date of death”.

Last week, Sarah challenged the order requiring to cover Dorothy’s legal bills.

But Dorothy’s lawyers highlighted Sarah’s past non-compliance with court orders, including a previous order that had added a further £40,000 onto Dorothy’s bill.

Ruling against Sarah, Judge Evans-Gordon said: “I am not going to set aside the default costs’ certificate, I am not satisfied that £126,000 for a dispute of this nature is plainly disproportionate.”

“There was a three-day trial and there have been a number of hearings. It was also an international case in the sense that it involved witnesses from overseas.

“The deceased had been domiciled and resident in Jamaica for many years and much of the evidence had to come from there.”

He added that her “inability to pay” is irrelevant to the question whether this costs order should be made.

In interviews, Rik, who grew up in London and rural Jamaica, has explained how his love of music was sparked by hearing his parents sing.

He said his dad was an inspiration and a “big reggae fan”.

The hit single It Wasn’t Me – which racked up over 1 billion plays on Spotify and sold nearly 1.5 million discs by 2017 – brought about a seismic change in his life, allowing him to travel the world and make his parents proud.

“It’s allowed me to basically retire and focus entirely on raising my beautiful family,” he said.

“Eternally grateful for that.”

During the case, Sarah, who said she is now living in poverty in London, said outside court: “I am hurt by the whole thing and I’ve lost my whole family.

“My dad died, but on the day he died I didn’t think I would end up being in the position I am today, going through all this heartache.

“I don’t have a step-mother anymore. This money would make a great difference in my life, I am on the breadline right now.”

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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