Magistrate refuses matter with no statement
MAGISTRATE Hazel Octave-Hamilton yesterday chased a policeman out of the witness box when he attempted to swear to a criminal matter without first preparing a statement.
The Police Officer was about to swear to an indictable matter in Court One of the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court when Magistrate Octave-Hamilton was heard saying, “Get out of my witness box.”
The Magistrate made clear to the officers that they must be prepared with their statement before attempting to swear to any information in her court.
The case was subsequently put down and the Magistrate indicated that she was not inclined to call it back.
In another case yesterday, the magistrate complained of the incompetence shown by Police Inspector Stephen Telford, prosecuting, along with other police officers, who were unable to obtain the addresses of two persons accused of robbing a church.