TOKYO (AP): Hitomi Yoshizawa, a former member of the all-girl J-pop group Morning Musume, was sentenced Friday to two years in prison, suspended for five years, for injuring two people in a hit-and-run incident in September while driving under the influence of alcohol. “Heavy concentrations of alcohol were detected in the defendant … she left the site of the accident without stopping to help the victims. Her criminal responsibility is fairly grave,” said Judge Takao Sato. Although the ruling handed down a suspended term as the Yoshizawa side had hoped, the court opted for a five-year suspension – the longest permitted under the law – on the grounds that the defendant needs time to “deepen her remorse” for her actions. Yoshizawa debuted in 2000 as a member of Morning Musume, known for its smash hit “Love Machine” released in 1999.

Source: The Star November 30, 2018 06:56 UTC