“Cooling” period needed

This island’s Chief Magistrate Christopher Birch has made it clear that a “cooling off period” was needed in an indecent assault case against a 46-year-old man.

Kurt Desberth Parsons of Ashford Tenantry, St John is accused of committing the criminal offence on April 15 against a minor – aged 12.

He first appeared in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on April 20 and was remanded on the grounds that there were fears for the safety of the complainant as well as Parsons’ based on the fact that the two visited a common residence and the nature and seriousness of the offence.

Parsons appeared before the Chief Magistrate yesterday in the District ‘C’ Magistrates’ Court where Station Sergeant Peter Barrow reiterated the objections to bail.

However, Parsons’ attorney-at-law Harry Husbands argued that his client resided in St John while the complainant was in St Philip.

“There is no reason for him to go to St Philip to visit the complainant as conditions could be put in place to satisfy the court,” said Husbands who asked for proof from officers to substantiate the fears for his client.

In delivering his decision the Chief Magistrate Birch concluded that tensions were high at present and needed to settle.

“In this matter it is best that there is a little cooling off period where family members are concerned. Let’s just let things cool because we . . . need to be very careful,” Chief Magistrate Birch said before he remanded Parsons to HMP until May 15.