Man to get surgery in police custody

Despite a passionate plea from a lawyer for his client, who is scheduled for hernia surgery this Friday, to be granted bail, Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque ordered that he remains locked up until next January.

However, the judge instructed that the man, Jerome Bullock, be taken to the hospital for the procedure to be done. He will then be sent back to jail after being released from hospital.

Bullock is before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, on a charge of larceny of a motor vehicle. It is alleged that on February 16, he stole the complainant's 2014 Toyota Vitz that was parked at her house. The court heard that a day later, on February 17, the vehicle was spotted by the police attached to the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch speeding in the Corporate Area. Bullock, who was driving, was signalled to stop but he ignored the officers' instructions. Sometime thereafter, he stopped the vehicle, exited and ran, but was later apprehended.

Bullock's attorney said his client has had the hernia issue since 2020. He urged the judge to have him admitted to bail, but prosecutors objected to the request.

The judge, having heard the allegations, agreed with the prosecutor who said Bullock may abscond bail.

"I am concerned about him being a flight risk and I do not think he is a fit candidate for bail. You have had this hernia since 2020, and it has not slowed you down. The hernia not stopping you, so bail is denied," the judge said.

Cole-Montaque then instructed the prosecutor to prepare a writ to have Bullock transported from the police lock-up, where he is being held in custody, to the hospital for his surgery.

"He might have to be under police supervision for a day or two, and it might just be that Hunts Bay [Police Station] may not be the most ideal place after the surgery, and he may have to go to Horizon [Adult Remand Centre], where there is a medical ward," Cole-Montaque said.

Bullock was remanded in custody until January 19, 2024, when the matter is set for mention.