Patrick King charged

Four criminal charges under the Computer Misuse Act have been leveled against a 52-year-old man. One of them involves veteran broadcaster David Ellis, Station Manager of the Starcom Network.

Patrick King, of Campaign Land, Martindales Road, St Michael is accused of using a computer to send an electronic communication via social media, which was menacing in character and was intended to cause or was reckless as to cause annoyance, inconvenience, distress or anxiety to Ellis or to any other person to whom he intended the message to be communicated.

That offence was allegedly committed in the District ‘A’ jurisdiction between July 17 and 18, 2019. However, the charge did not state what was communicated involving the Starcom broadcaster.

King pleaded not guilty to that charge when he appeared before Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant today.

The accused is further alleged to have committed the same offence in the District ‘E’ Holetown jurisdiction twice against John Fleming, on July 10 and 11 this year as well as against John Jonte on July 12. The charges also did not specify the contents of the social media posts.
No pleas were taken with respects to those three charges and King will have to appear in the Holetown Magistrates’ Court on August 13 where the matters will be heard.

For those charges he was granted bail in the sum of $5 000 with one surety. On the District ‘A’ offence he was granted another $5 000, also with one surety.

That case against King will continue on February 17, 2021 in the No. 2 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court. In the meantime, he has been warned not to communicate with any of the complainants in “any form or fashion”.