Several serious charges, ranging from illegal gun possession to endangering life, were dismissed by Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes on Friday due to a lack of police files on the cases.
The decision resulted in six men walking out of the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court without those charges hanging over their heads.
“This is wunna opportunity now . . . to grasp life, take care of your little children,” Magistrate Weekes told Adigun Rabbi Hinds, of 5A Maddison Terrace, Deacons, St Michael; Malik Derick Fenty, of 2nd Avenue Redman Road, Deacons, St Michael; Richad Barry Boyce, of 2nd Avenue Kellman Land, Black Rock, St Michael; Richard Shamario Worrell, of Derriston Road, Grazettes, St Michael; and Ranak Kadeaine Brathwaite, of Fairfield Cross Road, St Michael.
The men were jointly charged with damaging a window belonging to Rosanna Ifill on May 16, 2018 as well as recklessly and without lawful authority or excuse discharging a firearm along Fairfield Road, a public place, that placed Quamie Miller in danger of death or serious bodily harm.
Boyce was separately charged with stealing $12 403 cash belonging to Sunil Construction on February 16, 2018; having an illegal firearm and recklessly and without lawful authority or excuse, discharging a firearm along Tudor Bridge, a public place, in a manner that placed Shaquille Carter in danger of death or serious bodily harm on May 19, 2018; and using a firearm the following day, while causing an affray.
Boyce was also charged along with Bowen with entering the premises of Sam Lions Bar on May 20 that same year, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, with a firearm.
Bowen was also separately accused of using a firearm on May 20 while committing an affray.
In an update on their cases, following a request from the magistrate, Station Sergeant Crishna Graham informed the court that the prosecution was unable to locate any of the complainants involved in the matter and was also not in possession of any file or disclosure.
“I am in the hands of the court,” the prosecutor told the Chief Magistrate.
The men had first appeared before the court in May 2018 and were all remanded. Since that time they were granted bail at different intervals before the High Court.
The matters had also seen some 40 adjournments before the magistrates’ court.
As he dismissed the charges and allowed the men to go free, Magistrate Weekes advised them to stay away from the wrong crowd.
“For heaven’s sake, shout the men wunna know that in trouble; shout them, don’t lime with them because if wunna lime with them wunna know what could happen. Somebody may spot wunna with them, the police may come . . . . I can just give wunna young men advice, I really hope wunna take it,” he said.
With a chorus of “thank you, Sir” the men walked free.
