Woman says thugs threatening her to drop case

A 27-year-old windshield wiper will have to spend at least another week in custody, as the complainant against him told the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday that she is being threatened by gunmen associated with him.

The complainant, a 49-year-old US resident and ex-girlfriend of the accused, Collin Rose, said she was intimidated by gunmen to not attend court and to drop the matter against Rose.

"First of all Your Honour, I have 'mateys'. I don't consider myself being in a relationship with this man," the complainant said. It is alleged that on January 19, Rose gained entry to a property and threatened the complainant. He then took a suitcase containing clothing, shoes and electronics valued at US$3,975. He has not entered a plea to housebreaking and larceny and malicious destruction of property. The complainant said that on February 17, Rose jumped off her roof and attacked her by strangling her. She shared further that Rose stole more that $340,000 from her.

The Crown indicated that it is opposed to Rose being offered bail, as there is a likelihood that he will interfere with the complainant. She insisted that she fears Rose and is prepared to "remain in the Gideon" rather than return to the US. The 'Gideon' she refers to is Angola in Arnett Gardens, where the accused resides and where the complainant stays with her 80-year-old father, who has dementia.

However, Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell was not satisfied by the Crown's opposition, noting that strict conditions can be imposed to prevent interference.

"She has chosen to stay where it is rough and her choice is giving the police work. I will simply say that telling me that men are, let me use my colloquial words, 'preeing' her, is telling me that she has taken on a risk and she must therefore manage it. Telling me that the court can protect her, I don't know if she expect me later down there, but I am not going to anywhere name Angola. It name Angola for a reason," the senior jurist said.

"This lady is a resident of the United States of America. This lady is free to go and come as she pleases," Burrell argued.

The matter was adjourned until April 25, for the investigator to verify the address that Rose provided, should he be offered bail.

- T.T.