Three policemen accused of soliciting a bribe freed

Three policemen who were charged with breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act were freed in the St Catherine Parish Court on Monday after the prosecution conceded that it could not mount a successful case against them.

Corporal Stephen Peart and constables Maurice Foster and Lariston Bogle were charged with solicitation of a bribe.

When the matter came up for mentioned before Parish Court Judge Geneta Smikle, attorney John Jacobs argued that the evidence against the men was tenuous at best and that the Crown would not be able to mount a successful  prosecution.

It was alleged that on February 6, 2021, the policemen were on duty when they stopped a car for reported breaches of the Larceny Act. 

The vehicle was taken to the Central Village Police Station in St Catherine where the complainant was reportedly told to 'do supn'.

The man reportedly gave the policemen $50,000.

A subsequent report was made to the police, which resulted in an investigation and a ruling from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions that the cops should be charged.

The accused made numerous court appearances and maintained their innocence throughout.

- Rasbert Turner

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