Singer Keith Richards is about to be pardoned for an offence he committed over 30 years ago. In 1975, the Rolling Stones guitarist was charged with reckless driving in Arkansas, in southern United States, but it now looks as though his criminal record will be cleared, after the Arkansas Parole Board approved a request from Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee. Huckabee is himself a musc artist, playing bass in a local group. If the governor signs this request before mid-August, Richards will be freed from his legal burden. The charges relate to the discovery of marijuana in Richards' car, during a road check operation. Richards was also charged with reckless driving, as he had a concealed knife on him. Charges were dropped after the guitarist pleaded guilty and paid a $175 fine. The governor was moved to lobby in favour of the Rolling Stones member after a false arrest at a March concert. "I realised Keith Richards' (impression of Arkansas) was marred by a misdemeanour traffic stop," said Mike Huckabee. |