Magistrate Bertie Pompey has issued a bench warrant for a man accused of stealing cattle.
The man, Francis Sutherland, of Georgetown, was charged that between Nov. 18 and 20, 2022, at Orange Hill, he stole one black and white cattle, valued at EC$4,000, the property of Andrea Latchman, of Park Hill.
Last month, at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, Pompey acknowledged the frustration of Latchman and the witnesses, noting that it has been going on for too long and he, too, wanted the matter disposed of.
But, since then, there have been two adjournments and transfers between the Georgetown and Colonarie Magistrate’s Courts, at which Pompey presides.
On June 29, the court heard that Sutherland’s wife notified officers at the Georgetown Police Station that he was not feeling well and was going to visit the doctor.
Pompey asked the investigating officer, Corporal 513 Pilgrim, to verify that the defendant had visited a doctor.
While court was in session, Pilgrim brought the defendant into the courtroom.
The court heard that Sutherland visited the Georgetown Hospital, had his vitals taken but left without being seen by a doctor.
The court also heard that Corporal Pilgrim met the defendant at his home, in his kitchen.
Sutherland had sat in the courtroom for about 30 minutes on the prisoner’s bench awaiting the hearing in his matter.
When he was called to stand in the defendant’s dock, Pompey asked Sutherland why he had left the hospital without being seen by the doctor
“Pain! You know what is pain?” Sutherland told the magistrate, adding that the wait was long and he was going to see a private doctor that same day.
Pompey informed Sutherland that the matter was adjourned to July 3, and transferred to the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
However on that date, Francis appeared at the court but due to time constraints, the matter was again transferred to the Colonarie Magistrate’s Court on July 6.
On July 6, the defendant did not appear in court, resulting in the bench warrant.
The matter was again adjourned and transferred and adjourned to the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court for July 17.