By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
THREE men appeared in Magistrate’s Court yesterday accused of sexually assaulting three minors, a boy and two girls, in separate incidents.
Patrick Anthony Smith, 33, appeared before Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes facing a charge each of attempted unlawful sexual intercourse with a dependant and unlawful sexual intercourse with a dependent.
It is alleged that he attempted to have sex with an 11-year-old girl entrusted to his care between May 1 and 22 and then sexually assaulting the child on May 23.
Smith was told by the chief magistrate that he would be allowed to enter a plea to the allegations when formally arraigned in the Supreme Court.
He was told that a presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI), scheduled for July 7 in Magistrate’s Court, would transfer the matter to the higher court.
The chief magistrate then informed Smith that he was not eligible to be considered for bail due to amendments to the Bail Act, which removed discretion from the lower court to consider a bond on such offences.
Smith was told to apply to the Supreme Court for bail if he wished. He has retained attorney Ian Cargill to represent him.
In another arraignment before Magistrate Constance Delancy, 26-year-old Samuel Kelly Jr also faced a charge each of attempted unlawful sexual intercourse with a dependant and unlawful sexual intercourse with a dependent.
It is claimed that he attempted to have sex with a 16-year-old dependent between May 9 and 14 of this year.
It is further alleged that he had sex with the girl on numerous occasions between July 2014 and May 8, 2016.
He too will have his case fast tracked to the Supreme Court where he will be able to enter a plea to the allegations.
His VBI presentation is fixed for August 3.
Also scheduled to have his case fast-tracked to the Supreme Court on that date is 33-year-old Chancey Brown who was arraigned on a single count of rape.
Brown is accused of having sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old boy without his consent sometime between April and May of this year.
Brown was told by the magistrate that he would have to apply for bail to the Supreme Court given the nature of the offence.
Smith, Kelly and Brown were all remanded to the Department of Correctional Services to await trial.
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