Businessman freed on gun-related charges

Wednesday, December 17, 2014 | 5:19 PM    

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Former National Works Agency (NWA) Director of Regional Special Projects, George Knight, and his co-accused Clava Mantock Jr, were today (Wednesday, December 17) freed of gun-related charges in the Gun Court, downtown Kingston.

Knight was charged in July by the Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency, (MOCA) with aiding and abetting illegal possession of ammunition.

Knight’s attorney, Peter Champagnie Wednesday noted that prosecutors indicated that they would not be proceeding in respect of that charge.

Knight is also facing multiple fraud charges.

Prosecutors are alleging that Knight’s company, Cenitech Engineering Solutions, submitted a number of forged documents to authorities to be registered as an approved contractor.

Champagnie said that his client is maintaining his innocence in respect of all of the accusations.

Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserver

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

View the original article here

Businessman freed on gun-related charges

Cameroon Boko Haram hostages freed

11 October 2014 Last updated at 16:51 Akaoua Babiana, the wife of Cameroon’s deputy PM, was among the hostages released Twenty-seven people including 10 Chinese workers held for months by suspected Boko Haram militants have arrived in Cameroon’s capital.

The hostages were flown to Yaounde from the country’s far northern region after being freed early on Saturday.

They include the wife of Cameroon’s Vice-Prime Minister, Amadou Ali.

They were seized in two separate raids in May and July close to the Nigeria border. It is not clear how their release was secured.

Boko Haram is seeking to establish an Islamist state in Nigeria but its fighters often cross the long and porous border with Cameroon.

Many Nigerian civilians in border towns have fled to Cameroon to escape militant attacks, which have been stepped up in recent months.

In July, Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and Niger agreed to form a 2,800-strong regional force to tackle Boko Haram militants.

Cameroon has reinforced its troops in its northern regions.

The Chinese workers were kidnapped in Cameroon in May The freed hostages were said to be relieved to be released but weak

The freed hostages were taken to Yaounde general hospital upon their arrival in the capital, Reuters reports.

“You can imagine that after the ordeal they are very happy to be released and very relieved,” Issa Tchiroma Bakary, Cameroon’s Minister of Communications, told the news agency.

“But they are very weak. They are in very poor physical condition.”

President Paul Biya announced their release said in a statement on state radio: “The 27 hostages kidnapped on May 16, 2014, at Waza and on July 27, 2014, at Kolofata were given this night to Cameroonian authorities.

“Ten Chinese, the wife of the Vice Prime Minister Amadou Ali, the Lamido (a local religious leader) of Kolofata, and the members of their families kidnapped with them are safe.”

No details were given on the circumstances of the release or whether a ransom was paid.

In July, Cameroon said Mr Ali’s wife, Akaoua Babiana, and her maid were abducted in “a savage attack” on his home in Kolofata by Boko Haram militants.

Mr Ali managed to escape to a neighbouring town.

Efforts to step up regional co-operation gained momentum after Boko Haram caused an international outcry by abducting more than 200 girls from a boarding school in north-eastern Nigeria.

The girls are thought to be held in the vast Sambisa forest, along Nigeria’s border with Cameroon.

View the original article here

Cameroon Boko Haram hostages freed

Ninja Man’s son freed after mother pays his $300,000 lotto scam fine

Monday, September 29, 2014 | 3:49 PM    

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Ninja Man’s son Kimani Ballentine was this afternoon released from jail after his mother paid the $300,000 he was slapped with for his involvements in the lotto scam.

“The fine was paid and he’s out,” his attorney Christopher Townsend told OBSERVER ONLINE. “His mother paid the fine and he was out as at 3 o’clock.” 

The 25-year-old Ballentine was arrested last year at a house in Old Harbour St Catherine and charged after several lead sheets containing the names and addresses of persons living in the United States were found there.

He pleaded guilty last week Friday in the St Catherine Circuit Court. 

He was fined $300,000 and ordered to serve 12 months behind bars if the fine is not paid.?

Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserver

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

View the original article here

Ninja Man’s son freed after mother pays his $300,000 lotto scam fine

Constable freed of attempted murder

Police constable Andr? Thomas was acquitted of attempted murder in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Thomas was freed after the testimony of the complainant who told the court she did not want to proceed with the matter.

The woman told the court that she had only wanted the police to warn Thomas when she reported the case.

As a result, Resident Magistrate Anmarie Nembhard told the accused that he was free to go.

Thomas still remains with the police, as he is still answering to a charge of rape. He is to appear in the St Catherine Circuit Court on Tuesday on that matter.

Thomas’ appearance in court arose from an incident in Eltham, St Catherine, when he allegedly took the complainant to an area and beat her, and attempted to set her ablaze.

The police said the accused went back to the woman’s residence, where he sexually assaulted a teenager.

Following a report to the police, a file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

A ruling was made that Thomas be charged with attempted murder and rape.

- R.T.

View the original article here

Constable freed of attempted murder

Two alleged cable thieves freed

Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

Two of the three men charged with the theft of LIME cables valued at more than $770,000 were freed when they appeared in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Freed are Rory Sewell, 30-year-old of Moneague, St Ann, and Lehu Gordon, businessman of Linstead, St Catherine.

When the case was mentioned, Ricardo Sewell told the court that he alone was responsible for the theft of the cables.

The other two accused were ordered released while Ricardo Sewell was ordered remanded until October 17 for sentencing.

Allegations are that on September 3, about 4 a.m., police personnel were on patrol in Sligoville, St Catherine.

A Honda Fit motor car driven by Ricardo Sewell with his son Rory was signalled to stop.

Cables found

It was searched and cables were discovered in the trunk of the vehicle.

Investigation revealed that it was the property of LIME.

Rory and Ricardo were subsequently charged with simple larceny while Lehu Gordon was charged with conspiracy.

The police said that Gordon was the person who rented the vehicle.

Attorney-at-law Shantez Stewart represented the freed men.

View the original article here

Two alleged cable thieves freed

Farmers freed of ganja charges

Barbara Gayle, Star Writer

Two St Elizabeth farmers have been freed of possession of 26 pounds of ganja following a no-case submission by attorney-at-law, Dwight Reece.

They are 40-year-old Delroy Crawford and 25-year-old Gawayne Swaby of Jointwood District in St Elizabeth.

The Crown led evidence that on May 6, 2013, the police went to an address on Windward Road in Kingston 2, where they executed a search warrant. According to the police,the men were seen putting a tarpaulin with the ganja on the roof a chicken coop in the yard.

However when one of the policemen was being cross examined by Reece, it was pointed out that a statement claimed the farmers were found tying the ganja in tarpaulin on the ground. Reece noted that an endorsement also stated that the ganja was found behind a coop.

According to the attorney, given the three versions of how the ganja was found, the court could not be convinced the men were in possession of the drug.

The submission was upheld by Resident Magistrate Maxine Ellis in the Corporate Area RM court yesterday.

View the original article here

Farmers freed of ganja charges

Man freed of gun charges

Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

A man who was charged with firing a gun at a man in November last year was freed yesterday in the Gun Court, after the complainant failed to convince the judge that it was the accused whom he saw with the gun on the day in question.

Freed of charges of illegal possession of firearm and assault at common-law is Wayne Nelson of Mount Horeb, St Andrew.

During the trial, the complainant could not adequately identify the person with whom he struggled on the day in question, as he admitted the man’s head was down during the tussle

The accused who was represented by attorney-at-law Vincent Wellessley was then freed by the court, after it was revealed that the complainant’s evidence failed to convince the trial judge that Nelson was the person who attacked him the day of the incident.

Allegations are that on January 9, 2013, the complainant was walking along the Mount Horeb main road in St Andrew.

He reportedly heard an explosion and then saw Nelson coming from bushes nearby with what appears to be a gun in his hand.

When he got closer he realised it was a gun the accused had and that he squeezed the trigger repeatedly but it did not fire

He said that a struggle started between them for the gun and then another man was observed coming towards him with a knife

The complainant reportedly ran away from the scene and reported the matter and following an investigation, Nelson was subsequently charged on November 15. He remained until he was freed.

Presiding judge was Justice Courtney Day.

View the original article here

Man freed of gun charges

Correctional officer freed of drug charges

Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

A correctional officer was freed of drug charges in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, following a successful application by his lawyer.

Charged with breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act is Michael Stewart, 49, acting staff officer at the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre.

When the matter came up in the Spanish Town RM Court, defence attorney, Courtney Maxwell, submitted to the court that Stewart did not have a case to answer.

“Your Honour, there is nothing to prove that my client knew there was drug inside of the container which was later retrieved from a cell at the prison,” Maxwell said.

He said that his client was not guilty of any wrong and should be allowed to go back to work.

Resident Magistrate Anmarie Nembhard then ordered that Stewart be freed. However, two prisoners, Devon Watkins and Bryan Lettman, who were also charged in connection with the same incident, were remanded until August 29.

Allegations are that on February 17, 2014, Stewart was on duty at the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre, when he allegedly placed a container under a piece of concrete. Surveillance camera reportedly saw Lettman picked up the container and took it to his cell.

A search was conducted some 10 minutes later at the cells and ganja weighing more than two pounds were found. Both Lettman and Watkins were charged with possession of ganja .

Investigations later led to the arrest and charge of Stewart with possession of ganja, dealing in ganja and trafficking ganja.

View the original article here

Correctional officer freed of drug charges

Robber freed

Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

One of three men accused of robbery with aggravation was freed in the Linstead Resident Magistrate’s Court after a no-case submission was upheld.

He is Audy Murphy, a 38-year-old labourer, of Linstead, St Catherine.

When the case was mentioned before Resident Magistrate Vaughn Smith on Wednesday, attorney-at-law Donald Bryan made an application.

“Your Honour, my client was travelling in a car, police stopped it and found items. He was never pointed out. He is innocent and should be freed,” Bryan said.

RM Smith subsequently ordered that Murphy be set free.

Allegations are that in September last year, the police received reports of two men who robbed a man of a cellular phone.

The vehicle was intercepted and Omar Gillette, the driver Malcolm Thomas and Murphy were arrested.

Further investigation results in all three be charged with robbery with aggravation.

Thomas has since absconded, however, Gillette will have to reappear to stand trial on August 29.

View the original article here

Robber freed

Toronto cop facing murder charges freed on bail

News

Tuesday, August 20, 2013 | 2:41 PM

TORONTO (AP) — A Toronto police officer charged with murder in the shooting death of a young man wielding a knife in an empty streetcar has been granted bail. The shooting last month was caught on video and posted on YouTube, leading to an outcry in Canada’s largest city.   The video shows 18-year-old Sammy Yatim holding a knife inside the streetcar, with police outside. Yatim goads the officers, who yell, “Drop your knife!” Shortly after, nine shots are fired. A Taser is then used.  Yatim died from multiple gunshot wounds.  Ontario’s police watchdog charged Constable James Forcillo on Monday with second degree murder. He’ll be freed Tuesday on $510,000 bail. A judge imposed a publication ban on the preliminary hearings.

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

comments powered by

View the original article here

Toronto cop facing murder charges freed on bail

Former Antigua cops freed on drug charges

Latest News

Friday, July 26, 2013 | 8:49 AM

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Lawyers for two former police officers say they will probably seek legal redress from the state after a magistrate dismissed five drug related charges against their clients.Police had claimed that Arleigh Byer and Cosbert Sergeant, who faced joint charges of possession, possession with intent, drug trafficking, possession with intent to sell, and conspiracy to traffic 35 kilos cocaine, were also allegedly custodians of the house in which 34-year-old Alwin Robin and Dermoth Alix Riviere, 32, both of Dominica, were found shot dead execution style with wounds to the head.The drugs had a street value of one million dollars (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents).But on Thursday, Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh dismissed the five indictable drug charges against the former cops.The dismissal of the charges followed a no-case submission. Attorney Steadroy Benjamin described the charges as malicious prosecution.“The defendants had no case to answer because there was no evidence to support any charge laid against them by the prosecution. This clearly shows that the prosecution knew from the get go there was no basis to lay the charges,” defence attorney Lawrence Daniel said.The two former police officers now face 15 allegations of money laundering and remain on EC$800,000 bail.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

View the original article here

Former Antigua cops freed on drug charges

Former Antigua cops freed on drug charges

News

Friday, July 26, 2013 | 8:49 AM

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Lawyers for two former police officers say they will probably seek legal redress from the state after a magistrate dismissed five drug related charges against their clients.Police had claimed that Arleigh Byer and Cosbert Sergeant, who faced joint charges of possession, possession with intent, drug trafficking, possession with intent to sell, and conspiracy to traffic 35 kilos cocaine, were also allegedly custodians of the house in which 34-year-old Alwin Robin and Dermoth Alix Riviere, 32, both of Dominica, were found shot dead execution style with wounds to the head.The drugs had a street value of one million dollars (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents).But on Thursday, Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh dismissed the five indictable drug charges against the former cops.The dismissal of the charges followed a no-case submission. Attorney Steadroy Benjamin described the charges as malicious prosecution.“The defendants had no case to answer because there was no evidence to support any charge laid against them by the prosecution. This clearly shows that the prosecution knew from the get go there was no basis to lay the charges,” defence attorney Lawrence Daniel said.The two former police officers now face 15 allegations of money laundering and remain on EC$800,000 bail.

View the original article here

Former Antigua cops freed on drug charges