St Lucian accused of threatening man for testifying in court case

A St Lucia national was granted $70,000 signed bail after he allegedly threatened to kill a man who was a witness in his friend’s trial.

Charged with ‘perverting the course of justice’ is Neil St Rose — a Virgin Gorda resident for the last few years.

He was not required to plead when he appeared before Magistrate Ayanna Baptiste-DaBreo on Tuesday. 

This is because the matter is indictable and triable before a judge and jury.

Allegations

The court heard that about 6 pm on May 5 this year, the complainant and his wife were at a bar in North Sound, Virgin Gorda.

After placing their orders, the defendant allegedly approached the complainant and asked to speak to him privately. The duo left the bar and went outside near a parked jeep, the court heard.

While there, a friend of the accused man was seated inside a parked vehicle, when St Rose allegedly said, “That’s the man who make you go jail.”

He then made threats of killing the complainant, and when he tried to leave, St Rose allegedly said: “You not going anywhere.”

The court further heard that the complainant told St Rose’s friend that he did not make him go to Her Majesty’s Prison.

It is alleged that St Rose then replied: “I still will kill you,” the court heard.

After the alleged incident, the complainant made a report to the police station, and St Rose was subsequently charged.

Bail

His attorney, Patrick Thompson, told the court to impose bail with suitable conditions for his client who before now had no previous antecedents in the territory.

The court then imposed signed bail in the sum of $70,000 after the Crown announced that they had no objections.

Among the conditions of his bail, St Rose is to have no contact with the complainant, is to submit his travel documents and report to the Virgin Gorda Police Station every Monday and Friday between 6 am to 6 pm.

His matter was adjourned to November 19.