Prison staff among those appearing in court

Two prison officers appeared before the law court today separately charged with breaching the COVID-19 protocols.

They are Ainsley Raymond King, of 3rd Avenue Alleyne’s Land, Bush Hall, St Michael and Kenlarry Cain, of Rosehill, Newbury St George.

Police charged King with leaving home on February 16 between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. when he was not part of an essential service or had an emergency. He is further charged with not wearing a face mask, face shield or face covering on the same date.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges before Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes.

Prosecutor Victoria Taitt addressing the Chief Magistrate, urged the court to take note of the accused’s occupation saying that he should be an example for members of the public.

“If we can’t tell our own to come back, how can we tell John public to come back,” Taitt said.

Noting the submissions, Weekes adjourned the matter until August 11 and released King on bail.

Cain meanwhile was charged by the COVID-19 monitoring unit with contravening Paragraph (3) Sub-paragraph (1) of the protocols by failing to comply with the COVID-19 curfew directive when he reportedly attended a lime on February 6.

The accused, who is represented by attorney-at-law Angella Mitchell-Gittens pleaded not guilty to the charge.

He returns before the District ‘A” Magistrates’ Court on May 20 for trial.