Man charged with forgery two years ago still not summoned to court
Arguing that it does not speak well for the BVI’s justice system, Magistrate Shawn Innocent has ordered that a government employee who was charged with two counts of forgery in 2016, be finally subpoenaed to court.
The court was told that although a summons was prepared, it was never served to the accused Lester Smith, a resident of East End.
Smith allegedly forged two sets of documents – one involving a vehicle, and another to the Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs.
He was charged with two counts of uttering forged documents on September 25 two years ago.
Magistrate Innocent, in the meantime, said the accused man may still be on the government’s payroll though he has criminal charges pending against him.
“I’m not here to ruffle any feathers,” said Magistrate Innocent, who was only recently appointed to the role of a full-time magistrate for the BVI.
“… Just do what must be done,” he told prosecutors in court on Monday when Smith’s name was again scheduled on the court’s list.
Smith’s matter has appeared on the scheduled court’s list on a number of occasions but always had to be adjourned because a summons was never served.
The accused man’s matter has now been adjourned to September 21.
Under the territory’s forgery laws, a person faces several years to life in prison if found guilty of this offence.
An excerpt from the territory’s laws on forgery.
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— crookedness fueled by greed in and on every level of humankind.
NDP has gotten its share of accusations, but if all cr—- were to be exposed today, there will be much shocking in store for all. Actually, not one hand will be standing out as clean.
What is most troublesome is the cr—- are the ones that are always joining in the chorus of discriminating against other people and or their human misfortunes.
What’s new? Everybody and their mother knows the BVI courts are in disarray. This is ridiculous. I bet if this was some kid found on a corner with a joint, he would have already been dragged before the court, fined, or sent to Balsum Ghut.
Mr. Innocent, I get you are new, but expect to see this kind of situation often. If I were you, in fairness to those accused who have these very delinquent cases pending, I would just dismiss them if too many years have gone by. People need to get their acts together.
What’s the purpose of laws if those charged with crimes and not getting their day in court, and those who bring these cases are not doing their jobs?
Once it is marijuana, yuh dead.
What a great name for a Magistrate . On the other hand this is very lax law enforcement . What’s going on here ?
Up to life? Wow,yet still some murders are out in 25 years.. interesting
Drop these cases. What’s the problem is he works government.? Let the man work. Still Hurricane season, remember that.
Politrics what a Tortola ma boy