Charges dismissed in long-running serious bodily harm, firearm case

Four St Michael men have had a decade-old case dismissed in the High Court after prosecutors discontinued proceedings.

Ayo Prince Bascombe of Headley Land, Bank Hall; Kemal Mario Straker of Clapham Park; Nicholas Ricardo Clarke of 2nd Avenue, Godding Road, Station Hill; and Rio Richiann Jelani Benn of Upper Dukes Alley, Nelson Street were accused of unlawfully causing serious bodily harm to Kemar Barnett with intent and of the lesser charge of unlawfully and maliciously inflicting serious bodily harm on Barnett on August 6, 2015. They were also charged with using a firearm without having a valid licence.  

When the case was called before Justice Anthony Blackman in the No. 3A Supreme Court, State Counsel Treann Knight asked for it to be discontinued, noting that Clarke and Bascombe, who were present in the dock, had already received a copy of the discontinuance last week.  

“I also have a copy of the warrant for Mr Benn and Mr Straker and in light of this I am asking that the matter be dismissed for want of prosecution,” she said.  

Justice Blackman said: “The court accedes to this request. This matter is hereby dismissed.”  

Senior State Counsel Treann Knight prosecuted the case, while attorney Jeremy Bowen represented Clarke.

(JB)