Burrowes convicted of escaping custody

It took a jury an hour and a half to decide that Herwin Llewellyn Burrowes was guilty of escaping police custody over five years ago.

The panel of four men and five women agreed on Friday afternoon that Burrowes, of Taylor’s Gap, Delamere Land, Martindales Road, St Michael, having been arrested for unlawful possession of cannabis, escaped lawful custody by force whilst at Temple Yard on June 9, 2018.

During the trial, jurors in the No. 4 Supreme Court heard that on the mentioned date, Constables Jabarry Mayers and Wayne Marcellin were on duty in Temple Yard when they saw Burrowes standing between two stalls carrying a green and black haversack. Due to a strong scent of marijuana coming from the area, Constable Mayers told his colleague of his suspicion that Burrowes had cannabis. He then arrested Burrowes. However, as the officer was holding onto Burrowes’ right hand, the detained man began to struggle, pushing Mayers in his chest and causing him to stumble and lose his grip. Burrowes ran and Constable Mayers pursued him but was unable to apprehend him. However, Burrowes dropped a haversack which contained marijuana and a utility bill with his name and address on it.

Senior State Counsel Romario Straker and State Counsel Treann Knight prosecuted the case while Burrowes was represented by attorney Rhea Layne.

After there was no objection to Burrowes remaining on bail, Madam Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell ordered a pre-sentence report and adjourned the matter until March 8 when sentencing submissions are to be heard.

She also warned the convicted man, who has five previous convictions, that while he remained on bail, that was not an indication that he would not get a custodial sentence.

“There is the possibility that you may go to Dodds. Understand that clearly,” Justice Smith-Bovell said before thanking jurors for their service.