Fugitive caught during traffic stop

A Corporate Area man who missed his court date five years ago was held by police attached to the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch after he fled from them during a traffic stop.

It was shared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court that the accused, Damion Howell, was charged in 2019, for rape, robbery with aggravation, illegal possession of ammunition, dealing in ganja and sexual touching. Howell did not attend his court hearing in the Home Circuit Court and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

Sometime in December 2023, police were conducting checks in Half-Way Tree and Howell was signalled to stop. However, he disobeyed the police officer's command. On another occasion in December, a vehicle in which Howell was the passenger was instructed to stop by the same police officer from the first instance. The vehicle was searched and Howell was subsequently charged with possession of and dealing in ganja, unauthorised possession of firearm and ammunition, breach of the Corruption Prevention Act, breach of the Spirit Licence Act, no driver's licence and no certificate of fitness.

Howell was brought before Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque on Monday to answer to a charge of absconding bail. He did not enter a plea.

"I thought my lawyer would be here today because I want to plead guilty but I want to plead guilty when he is here," the accused informed the senior judge.

The matter was adjourned until May 17, when it expected that Howell's attorney will be present.

He is also to appear in the Home Circuit Court and the Corporate Area Traffic Court to answer to the other matters.