Trinidad judge charged for failing to submit to breathalyser test

Monday, December 15, 2014 | 7:52 AM    

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (Trinidad Express) – Judge in the morning, defendant in the afternoon.This is how Justice Ramchand Lutchmedial, vice-president of the Industrial Court, will spend today, having been charged last Friday under the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act.

Lutchmedial will appear before a Tunapuna magistrate charged with failing to submit to a breathalyser test.

He is among several persons making a court appearance for offences related to “driving under the influence” (DUI).

Under the law, a police officer may require a driver or a person in charge of a motor vehicle to provide a specimen of breath for a test at (or) near the place where the request is made, if he (officer) has reasonable cause to believe that the person has consumed alcohol above the prescribed limit.

The law also states that a police officer can have reasonable cause to administer a breath test where:

(a) he has smelt alcohol in the suspected person’s breath;

(b) The suspected person has slurred speech;

(c) The suspected person is swerving whilst driving on the road; and

(d) Where the suspected person has poor co-ordination.

The judge was arrested and charged during a police exercise in the Chaguanas district on Friday night.

According to police reports, officers were conducting an exercise when they noticed the vehicle swerving.

The driver, who turned out to be Lutchmedial, was stopped and officers asked him to exit the vehicle.

The officers made certain observations as he exited the vehicle, according to the report. He was asked to provide a breath specimen.

The driver refused and was taken to Chaguanas Police Station where he was charged.

The Express understands Lutchmedial was granted station bail in the sum of $500.

Checks by the Express revealed the judge has an all-day matter involving the Banking, Insurance and General Workers Union (BIGWU) and Stechers from 9 am today.

The judge is expected to make his appearance this afternoon, since all matters listed at the Chaguanas Magistrates’ Court have been transferred to Tunapuna.

The Express contacted Lutchmedial yesterday afternoon for comment and he said: “I have no comment to make” and then hung up the phone.

The Express tried again to contact Lutchmedial, but all calls to his cell phone went unanswered. Messages left were not returned.

Lutchmedial was appointed a judge in 2001. In 2012, he was named VP of the Industrial Court.

Last month, during an Express investigation, it was revealed that a senior Government official had been lobbying for the removal of Industrial Court president Deborah Thomas-Felix and have her replaced by Lutchmedial.

President Anthony Carmona last week re-appointed Thomas-Felix as head of the Industrial Court.

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Trinidad judge charged for failing to submit to breathalyser test

Frenchmen charged in terrorist plots after return from Syria

Saturday, September 27, 2014 | 11:26 AM    

PARIS, France (AFP) – Three Frenchmen arrested in Turkey after travelling to Syria were charged Saturday with planning terrorist acts, their lawyer said.

The men, who were the subject of a high-profile judicial bungle this week after their arrest in Turkey, were being charged by an anti-terrorist judge with “criminal association with the aim of planning terrorist acts”, said lawyer Pierre Dunac told AFP.

The trio includes the 29-year-old brother-in-law of Toulouse jihadist Mohamed Merah, who was shot dead by police after he murdered seven people, including three children, in a 2012 killing spree.?

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Frenchmen charged in terrorist plots after return from Syria

Canadian man charged after turtles found strapped to body

Saturday, September 27, 2014 | 1:49 PM    

DETROIT (AP) — A Canadian man has been charged after border agents at the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel found more than 50 turtles strapped to his body and hidden between his legs.

The Detroit News reports that Windsor, Ontario, resident Kai Xu was charged Wednesday with smuggling, illegal trading and exporting. A bond hearing was scheduled Thursday in federal court in Detroit.

A US Fish and Wildlife Service agent received a tip about a large box sent to a Detroit postal centre. Court documents say it was addressed to Xu and mailed from Alabama. Agents were watching the postal centre on August 5 when Xu arrived.

The turtles were found after Xu’s SUV re-crossed the border and was stopped in Windsor.

It wasn’t immediately clear if Xu has a lawyer.

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Canadian man charged after turtles found strapped to body

Uber driver charged in hammer attack on passenger

SAN FRANCISCO –  A driver for ride-sharing company Uber is accused of striking a passenger in the head with a hammer during a dispute over the route he was taking, the San Francisco District Attorney’s office said Friday.

Patrick Karajah, 26, picked up three people from a bar around 2 a.m. Tuesday and, while driving the passengers to their destination, he got into an argument with one of the passengers who questioned the route he was taking, according to court documents obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle.

The documents said that Karajah, who was driving for the basic UberX service, forced the passengers out of his car in the Bernal Heights neighborhood. Once the victim was out of the car, Karajah allegedly struck him on the side of his head with a hammer and drove away.

The victim suffered facial fracture and trauma to the head, and was taken to the hospital.

Karajah was arrested at his home in Pacifica.

He pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of assault with a deadly weapon and battery with serious bodily injury.

Uber said in a statement that the company has suspended Karajah’s account and was prepared to assist authorities in any investigation.

“Safety is Uber’s No. 1 priority. We take reports like this seriously and are treating the matter with the utmost urgency and care,” the statement said.

A call to Karajah’s home went unanswered Friday evening.

His case comes the same week the district attorneys of San Francisco and Los Angeles threatened ride-sharing companies Uber, Lyft and Sidecar with legal action over how they screen drivers, charge passengers, among other business practices.

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Uber driver charged in hammer attack on passenger

Barkeep, student charged with possession of stolen motor vehicle

A bartender and a student were hauled before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday after they were allegedly found to be in possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

Charged with receiving stolen property and fraudulent use of license plates is bartender Hezekiah Walker and student Stephanie Nelson, both of Runaway Bay, St Ann.

The Crown alleges that on Sunday, September 14, about 11 p.m., a police party from the Runaway Bay Police Station, acting on information, went to the home of the two accused, who are said to be in a relationship.

A grey 2010 Nissan Tiida was discovered in their possession, along with three sets of registration plates and other car documents. The vehicle is valued at $1.8 million.

It was revealed that the car had been stolen late last year in Stony Hill, St Andrew, and was said to have been purchased for $750,000 from an individual known to the couple.

Both accused were granted bail in the sum of $400,000.

They are to return to court on November 5.

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Barkeep, student charged with possession of stolen motor vehicle

Cop charged in connection to larceny faces additional charges

Additional charges have been laid against a police corporal of the Protective Services Division in connection to the theft of a motor vehicle, according to a press release from the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency.

Corporal Stafford Barrett, who had been on bail for the offences of simple larceny and receiving stolen property, was yesterday charged with fraudulent conversion and fraudulent use of registration plates.

Barrett was initially charged for simple larceny and receiving stolen property on May 23, 2014 by detectives from the then Anti-Corruption Branch. He was taken into custody following the recovery of a stolen Toyota Corolla motor car at his home in Spanish Town, St Catherine. The motor car was reported stolen in Hopewell, Hanover, on May 9.

He appeared in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate’s Court on May 27, where he was granted bail in the sum of $800, 0000.

Barrett is scheduled to appear in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, October 28, to answer to all charges.

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Cop charged in connection to larceny faces additional charges

Businesswoman charged with selling illegal rubbing alcohol

A Chinese businesswoman who is charged with having illegally labelled items marked ‘Benjamin Rubbing Alcohol’ in her shop will stand trial on April 16 next year.

Yu Wen of Spanish Town, St Catherine, is charged with breaches of the Trademark Act and the Custom Excise Act.

When the matter was mentioned in court on Tuesday, it was revealed that the forensic certificate is now on file.

As a result, the defence and the Crown agreed that the matter can now be tried.

Allegations are that in February last year, police personnel from the Organised Crime Investigation Division swooped down on the accused woman’s business place.

The detectives went into the establishment and removed several boxes of rubbing alcohol, marked ‘Benjamin’s’.

Further checks revealed that the products were never labelled or manufactured by the company. She was subsequently charged.

Wen is being represented by attorney-at-law Lancelot Clarke Jr.
- R.T

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Businesswoman charged with selling illegal rubbing alcohol

Uwi student charged for ammo possesion

A university student, who is said to be on a full scholarship, was fined $20,000 or six months yesterday in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’sCourt after he was caught with an empty drink box loaded with ammunition.

Charged with illegal possession of ammunition is 22-year-old Shevon Brown, a undergraduate at the University of the West Indies, Mona.

He pleaded guilty to the offence.

Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey, in handing down the fine said, “One chance is all I am giving you.”

This was based on the bail application put forward by the attorney representing the accused man, who attributed many positives in relation to his academics and background.

The court heard that on the day in question a police team was on patrol in a Kingston community when Brown was spotted walking with the box in his hand.

Reports are that the police became suspicious and after a search was conducted the assorted rounds were found.

The court did not give the exact number, however, the clerk of court disclosed, “They found quite a lot, Your Honour.”

The court also heard that a family member gave Brown the box to deliver.

Brown has been in custody since August 29. A fingerprint order was also made against Brown.

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Uwi student charged for ammo possesion

Police officers charged with setting teenager on fire, granted bail

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Thursday July 17, 2014, CMC – Six police officers charged with setting a teenager on fire were granted bail when they appeared in court on Wednesday.

The six were charged with misbehaviour in public office by unlawfully and maliciously inflicting harm on Jamerson John,18 in December, 2013 while he was in police custody.

It is alleged that police officers stripped John to his underpants, doused him with methylated spirits and set him alight after he refused to confess to robbing two people and breaking into a house.

John was hospitalised for burns to his torso, leg and genital area.

The six police officers were granted bail amounting to TT$300,000.

They are scheduled to reappear in court on Friday.

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Police officers charged with setting teenager on fire, granted bail

Constable accused of trying to kill girlfriend charged

A Police Constable accused of  trying to kill his girlfriend, has been charged.

Constable Andrew Thomas was charged on Wednesday with attempted murder and rape.He’s booked to appear before the Spanish Town Criminal Court on Friday..

The policeman, who is attached to the St. Thomas Police Division, was taken into custody two weeks ago following allegations that he tried to kill his girlfriend in St Catherine.

It’s reported that the Constable invited his girlfriend on a date.

He allegedly took her to a secluded area in St. Catherine and proceeded to beat her. During the assault, it’s alleged that he also set fire to her dress as she begged for her life.

The Constable ended the assault and took her home.

She reported the incident the following day and the Constable was taken into custody.

It’s alleged that he also raped a relative of  the girlfriend, while she was at the police station filing a complaint against him.

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Constable accused of trying to kill girlfriend charged

DPP rules that Constable accused of trying to kill girlfriend be charged

The Director of  Public Prosecutions (DPP) has ruled that charges be laid against a Constable, who is accused of  trying to kill his girlfriend.

A senior investigator told RJR News that the policeman will be charged on Wednesday and taken before the Spanish Town Criminal Court.

He’s facing charges of  attempted murder, wounding, assault and rape.    

The policeman, who is attached to the St. Thomas Police Division, was recently taken into custody following allegations that he tried to kill his girlfriend . It’s reported that the Constable invited his girlfriend on a date.

He allegedly took her to a secluded area in the central parish of St. Catherine and proceeded to beat her.

During the assault, it’s alleged that he also set fire to her dress as she begged for her life. Constable ended the assault and took her home.

She reported the incident the following day and the Constable was taken into custody.

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DPP rules that Constable accused of trying to kill girlfriend be charged

Policemen charged in connection with robbery and abduction

The three policemen who were arrested in connection with the robbery and abduction of  a motorist in Denham Town, Kingston 14 last week,were charged on Saturday following an identification parade.

The charges are illegal possession of  a firearm and ammunition; robbery with aggravation; kidnapping; assault occasioning actual bodily harm; larceny of  motor vehicle and conspiracy.

Their identifies have been withheld as they are due to face another ID parade.

It’s alleged, that early Monday the policemen stopped a motorist and after searching and robbing him, placed him in the trunk of his vehicle.

He however managed to free himself and was rescued by a police patrol team along Darling Street.  

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Policemen charged in connection with robbery and abduction

Famliy members charged with cocaine possession

Deon P Green, Star Writer

Two of three family members charged for possession of cocaine with an estimated street value of $350,000 were offered bail when they appeared in the Morant Bay Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The magistrate advised the third family member that the address will have to be verified before bail can be considered as the crown did not oppose bail application for the three.

Those offered bail in the sum of $300,000 each are 43-year-old Judith Campbell and 19-year-old Romario Thompson of Brown’s Lane in Morant Bay.

Additionally, Campbell was offered bail in the sum of $2,000 for abstracting electricity illegally. The magistrate ordered those offered bail to report to the Morant Bay police on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. They have also been told to surrender their travel documents and be fingerprinted.

The third accused, 26-year-old Sean Scott, with addresses in Kingston and Morant Bay, was remanded in custody until his addresses can be verified.

The weekend Star understands that the police reportedly carried out a raid in the area two weeks ago in search of illegal electricity. The police searched the house of the accused and substances resembling cocaine was found in jars over a doorway as well as in a passageway.

The three are booked to return to the Morant Bay RM Court on July 9.

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Famliy members charged with cocaine possession

Pastor charged with sexual assualt

Deon p Green, Star Writer

Pastor Daniel Findlay, charged under the Sexual Offenses Act with three counts of sexual assault with a person under 16 years and one count of grievous sexual assault, was told his case will be tried soon.

Findlay, 36, from Lower York in St Thomas, appeared in the Morant Bay Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday. His lawyer was absent and so was the complainant. After exploring the possibility of sending a taxi for the complainant, the magistrate advised the accused to make his attorney aware of the next court date.

“Your case will start soon, as the complainant is not here. You should return to court on August 7,” the magistrate advised. She also told the mother of the child to ensure that her daughter is present at the next hearing.

Findlay’s bail conditions of $250,000 with stringent measure remains. The bail conditions include two sureties, reporting to the police six times each week and residing with his father. The accused has also been ordered to have no contact with persons under the age of 16 years old.

Finday was identified as a person of interest by the Morant Bay police earlier this year, and was picked up in Kingston after he made arrangement with the police to hand himself in.

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Pastor charged with sexual assualt

Two A-League teams charged over fan violence

Sport

Friday, January 03, 2014

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) — Football Federation Australia has charged the Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers with bringing the game into disrepute and threatened the A-League clubs with loss of competition points.Supporters of both teams clashed at a Melbourne hotel ahead of their match on Saturday, and police arrested several people. Flares were also set off during the match at AAMI Stadium which finished 1-1.FFA said in a statement on Friday it has given each club until next Tuesday to show why they should not face sanctions, including the possible loss of three competition points each.FFA chief executive David Gallop said the threatened loss of points “is a harsh penalty, but it’s in equal measure to the enormous damage caused by the type of anti-social behavior”.

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Two A-League teams charged over fan violence

Man charged with threatening to kill Obama

Latest News

Thursday, September 12, 2013 | 6:05 PM

HARRISBURG, USA (AP) — A Pennsylvania grand jury has charged a Clarks Summit man with threatening to kill President Barack Obama.Prosecutors say in a Thursday news release that 42-year-old Nicholas Savino allegedly sent a threatening email to the White House on August 16.The email allegedly said that Obama is the Antichrist and that he must stand down or be shot dead. The charges stem from an investigation by the US Secret Service and the Clarks Summit police.Clarks Summit is about 10 miles outside Scranton. Obama visited Scranton and the region August 23, a week after the alleged threatening email. That same day, local police seized ammunition and weapons at a Clarks Summit home on behalf of the Secret Service.Savino couldn’t be reached for comment.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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Man charged with threatening to kill Obama

Man charged with threatening to kill Obama

News

Thursday, September 12, 2013 | 6:05 PM

HARRISBURG, USA (AP) — A Pennsylvania grand jury has charged a Clarks Summit man with threatening to kill President Barack Obama.Prosecutors say in a Thursday news release that 42-year-old Nicholas Savino allegedly sent a threatening email to the White House on August 16.The email allegedly said that Obama is the Antichrist and that he must stand down or be shot dead. The charges stem from an investigation by the US Secret Service and the Clarks Summit police.Clarks Summit is about 10 miles outside Scranton. Obama visited Scranton and the region August 23, a week after the alleged threatening email. That same day, local police seized ammunition and weapons at a Clarks Summit home on behalf of the Secret Service.Savino couldn’t be reached for comment.

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Man charged with threatening to kill Obama

16-y-o boy charged in Tassanique"s death

News

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

DETECTIVES from the Major Investigation Task Force (MIT) have charged a 16-year-old boy in connection with the August 1 shooting death of Tassanique James in West Kingston.Tassinique, 11, was shot dead by gunmen as she stood among a group of people in a yard on Bread Lane. Two women were shot and injured in the attack.The Clan Carthy Primary student was laid to rest Sunday following a tearful ceremony at the Regent Street Seventh-day Adventist Church in downtown Kingston.Yesterday, the police said the boy was charged after being questioned.“The boy went through a question-and-answer session with his attorney this morning, after which he was charged with murder. He is booked to appear in court at a later date,” the police said in a release.A file photo of Tassanique James, who was killed in West Kingston Thursday afternoon. (PHOTOS: BRYAN CUMMINGS)

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16-y-o boy charged in Tassanique"s death

Nine charged for electricity theft in Portland

Latest News

Saturday, August 31, 2013 | 9:07 AM

PORTLAND, Jamaica — Nine people, whose names are being withheld were Friday charged for illegally extracting electricity and offered bail in the sum of $30,000 each. They are booked to appear in the Port Antonio Resident Magistrate’s court on September 24.And less than two hours after those arrests, the police visited an informal settlement near the old Port Antonio Marina, where they removed illegal wiring from five houses. No arrests were made as no one was at home during that operation.These recent arrests follow on the heels of a similar operation on Tuesday (August 27) when six people were taken into custody from the Berrydale area of the Rio Grande Valley, and earlier in the month when residents were arrested for stealing electricity via underwater pipes, also in the old Marina area. Meanwhile, the police discovered a huge ganja plant along a footpath in Berrydale during that operation, but no one was charged.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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Nine charged for electricity theft in Portland

Nurse charged for fraud

Latest News

Thursday, August 29, 2013 | 8:33 AM

ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — A St Catherine nurse was arrested and charged with forgery and uttering forged documents on Wednesday.She has been identified as 35-year-old Joan Christian.According to the police on Friday, August 23, Christian allegedly submitted a visa application to the German Embassy in Kingston, along with an employment letter and a bank statement from a financial institution, stating she had close to J$1 million in her personal account.During routine checks by officials at the embassy, the information submitted by Christian was found to be false. The Fraud Squad was contacted and a subsequent investigation launched.She is to appear in the Half Way Tree Resident Magistrate’s Court on Friday, August 30.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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Nurse charged for fraud