By Alric Lindsay
Magistrate Hernandez heard from lawyers today, October 29, 2024, that a man who is charged with alleged defilement of a girl under sixteen could not be located. For this reason, he was not in court to face the charge. Magistrate Hernandez expressed her disappointment that the man was not present in Court and that a case involving a child had taken several months to come before the Court.
Reasons given for man’s Court absence
Explaining the man’s absence from Court, the Court heard that “contact has been made on numerous occasions,” but “his telephone number isn’t working.”
In response, Magistrate Hernandez said the man “should not have been in a position where he cannot be in contact with” and that “Somebody is not understanding their assignment” to ensure that cases involving children are brought before the court speedily.
She added, “They have one job to do and I expect this job to be done properly especially where children are concerned and I want this to be properly noted.”
Court hears request to not publish man’s name
In addition to the man not being present in Court, the Court heard from a lawyer that the “matter is further complicated because the complainant [i.e., the child] has made a further statement withdrawing the allegation.”
After hearing from a lawyer that there were many “moving parts,” the Court heard a request that the man’s name not be published in the media and issued an order that it would not.
Notes to readers:
This allegation is one of a series of serious matters before the Court in which young persons are alleged to be victims. In the Summary Court, Magistrate Hernandez has repeatedly highlighted that cases involving children should be resolved expeditiously and should not take months to come to Court. Notwithstanding the seriousness of the note made by the Court, the issue continues to recur without any of the authorities facing consequences.
