Three people accused of stealing electricity freed

Three St Ann residents who were accused of stealing electricity were freed in the St Catherine Parish Court on Monday after the judge upheld a no-case submission by their attorney.

Their attorney, Sean Kinghorn, submitted that there was nothing to connect Ainsworth Wheeler, Denzel Wheeler and Sharon Wheeler, of Ocho Rios addresses in St Ann, to the alleged crime.

"The persons brought here today don't occupy the space, they were only visiting on the day. There cannot be a successful prosecution for the offence here today," Kinghorn submitted.

Senior Parish Court Judge Desiree Alleyne later ruled that the accused did not have a case to answer.

Meanwhile Kinghorn said the matter is not yet over as his clients "will definitely be taking action against the JPS (Jamaica Public Service Company) for trespassing, malicious prosecution and malicious destruction of property." 

It was alleged that on February 15, 2024, JPS representatives accompanied by the police swooped down on premises along Patrick Street in Old Harbour, St Catherine.

During the operation, the team observed an illegal connection to the JPS power supply.

The three were subsequently arrested and charged.

- Rasbert Turner

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