Alleged child molestation & sexual predation

CHIEF Justice (Ag.) Mr. Ian Chang, S.C. created a stir at the High Court yesterday when upon application from media houses he discharged Injunctions he had recently granted to McCoy, restraining the media (defendants) from further publishing defamatory sex stories about the plaintiff.

In Court yesterday, from left, Adam Harris, Julia Johnson, Glen Lall and Enrico Woolford

The defendants, Prime News, Mr. Glenn Lall, Mr. Enrico Woolford and Capitol News, and National Media Publishing Company, were present in the Chief Justice Chambers to welcome the news after their lawyers had put forward affidavits in answer to nullify the injunctions.

Among other things, the sworn affidavits in answer sought to prove to the court that the said words, complained of in the alleged defamatory story, are true in substance and in fact, and that it is therefore justified in publishing same and further and/or in the alternative that the said words were fair comment on matters of constitutional importance, public interest, public welfare and public morality.

The Acting Chief Justice was told that in view of the plea of justification and comment, the continuation of the said injunction will be censorious of the Respondents in matters that touch and concern constitutional importance, public interest, public welfare and public morality and more fundamentally, the protection and preservation of the rights, interests and well being of our nation’s children.

It was suggested that for the reasons set out, that the interim injunction granted on the 23rd September, 2009, be discharged forthwith.

Lawyers representing the respondents included Mr. Nigel Hughes for Enrico Woolford and Capitol News, and Attorneys at law Mr. Manoj Narayan, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan and Mr. Neil Parsram.

After listening to the arguments, the Chief Justice discharged the interim injunction and ordered that the summons be allowed to take its normal course.
As a result of the ruling yesterday, the media houses involved are entitled if they so wish to repeat their publications.
When asked what time the trial was adjourned to, Mr. Ramjattan pointed out that it will take its normal course, and might be a year from now.