Man caught jumping company’s fence

Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque stood by her decision not to offer bail to a Corporate Area man who was caught jumping over the fence of a business place after midnight.

Allegations shared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court state that a group of men, one of whom was captured and later identified to be Andre Palmer, the defendant, was seen jumping the fence of the business establishment. Palmer was subsequently charged with shopbreaking and larceny, and prosecutors indicated to the senior jurist that they are not opposed to bail being offered with conditions imposed. However, Cole-Montaque was having none of it.

"I am not going to be the judge to offer him bail. Even if you cannot prove the larceny, that's trespassing! What is he doing there at 12:47 in the morning? What is he doing there and jumping fence? Imagine the headline, 'Judge offers bail to trespasser'. Please note on the record that bail is denied," the judge said.

Palmer, who stood quietly in the prisoner's dock, hung his head low as it was decided that he be remanded in custody.

The judge noted the seriousness of the allegations and ordered that the matter be adjourned until March 4.