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Two more sent to High Court for Health Ministry Fire

Jun 12, 2013 News

A prima facie case has been made out against two of the alleged arsonists in the July 2009 torching of the Ministry of Health main office in Brickdam.
Colin Jones and Clayton Westford are accused of deliberately setting fire to the MOH headquarters in July of 2009. The duo made another appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday. Westford and Jones stood before Magistrate Judy Latchman.
Attorney -at- Law, Michael Somersall is representing Westford.
Somersall made a no case submission on behalf of the accused citing the lack of evidence from the fire department. He stated that at no time did any individual of the department participate in giving evidence. Somersall also pointed out that the proof to support the theory of arson was never tendered before the court.
The lawyer also spoke of the fact that then Minister of Health, Leslie Ramsammy, in giving his evidence, stated that he was the last person to leave the building, prior to which he had consumed hot and cold beverages. The Minister, he recounted, could not say what was used to prepare the beverages.
Magistrate Latchman overruled the lawyer’s submission and stated that a prima facie case was made out against both defendants. She however deferred her final ruling until June 17.
The blaze which destroyed the entire building at the Ministry of Health on July 16, 2009 was labeled as act of domestic terrorism by law enforcement authorities.
The fire, believed to have been sparked by channa bombs, completely destroyed the Ministry of Health’s main building and an annexe at Brickdam in the wee hours of the aforementioned date. It devoured records, vehicles and a string of key divisions, which was a major blow to the health sector. Following the inferno, a bottle containing channa, combustion fuel and a wick was reportedly recovered from the crime scene.

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