The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN denied having sex with an underage girl he and a friend picked up in a settlement on a Family Island, a policeman said in Supreme Court yesterday.

Sgt Franklyn Neely told the nine-member jury that he interviewed Alban Johnson at a police station last June where he put the accusation to him made by the 14-year-old complainant.

Johnson, also known as Medico, faces a charge of unlawful sexual intercourse alleged to have been committed on May 31, 2013. The location of the alleged incident is being withheld to protect the identity of the complainant.

In yesterday’s proceedings before Senior Justice Jon Isaacs, the detective said that he reported for work around 9.35am on June 10, 2013, when he received certain information.

He then saw the defendant and informed him of the accusations lodged against him before cautioning him. The officer said he asked Johnson a series of questions which he answered but went on to deny having sex with the girl. But he indicated to the officer that he saw her with another female in a settlement he and another male had driven too.

They gave them a ride and then dropped them back to the settlement, Johnson reportedly told the officer. Johnson however, refused to sign his record of interview.

Bernard Ferguson Jr, who represents the accused, had no questions for the investigator but did ask Constable Civil Forbes, who sat in on the interview, if his client had asked for an attorney. Forbes said he did not and had also waived the offer when given an opportunity by Sgt Neely.

Mr Ferguson requested to make certain legal submissions in the jury’s absence following the closing of the Crown’s case. Algernon Allen II and LaNell Williams are prosecuting the case.