Jailbreaker misses court after getting bail

Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque questioned why another judge at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court offered bail to a man who previously escaped custody.

"How can a man who escaped custody be offered bail? How is that?" the judge asked.

Judge Cole-Montaque was left shocked, hearing that the accused, Dwight Dryden, has not attended court since picking up his bail offer of $150,000 on July 7. Dryden is alleged to have visited the apartment complex of the complainant, an assistant commissioner of police, and attempted to steal his vehicle on March 14 at 2 a.m. Dryden was captured and taken into custody at the Constant Spring Police Station, where he allegedly attempted to bribe two investigators to "mek sumn gwan" for $2 million. The offer was reportedly ignored.

However, sometime after 4:30 a.m., during cell searches, Dryden was not seen in the police station. On March 24, Dryden was apprehended at the Norman Manley International Airport, attempting to board a flight. He was then taken into custody at the Spanish Town Police Station in St Catherine. He was later charged with attempted larceny of motor vehicle and escaping custody.

The attempted larceny matter was dealt with at the Supreme Court and the escaping custody matter transferred to the Corporate Area court, where he was offered bail. However, he has not attended court since.

"Let me make a note, bench warrant to issue and excrete the bonds," the judge noted.