Absence of defence counsel delays ruling in TIP case

Jul 30, 2016 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News

A ruling which was expected to be made yesterday, in a Trafficking in Persons (TIP) case by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan was deferred until September 5, due to the absence of Defence Counsel.
It is alleged that between December 12 and 14, 2014 Joyce Lawrence of Lot 302 Track ‘X’ Plantation Grove, East Bank Demerara trafficked and transported her niece, who was at the time a minor, by means of threat.
It is further alleged between December 1 and 28, 2014 at a night club in Aishalton, Region Nine, Lawrence again trafficked the minor by means of threat.
She is also accused of withholding the girl’s identification card, while being her employer. Lawrence has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is currently out on $650,000 bail.
When the matter was called yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan said that Lawrence’s Attorney requested to be excused and gave the adjournment date.
Police Prosecutor, Neville Jeffers during a lengthy submission earlier this month, had asked the court to find the defendant culpable of the offences since she transported and harboured the minor for labour exploitation.
Jeffers had asked the court to rely on the evidence given by the prosecution’s witnesses, in particular the evidence of the virtual complainant (VC).
The Prosecutor pointed out that during Lawrence’s defence, she admitted to being in possession of the VC’s identification card and cell phone.
According to Jeffers, Lawrence also admitted that the VC was working with her during the periods mentioned in the charges and that she transported the minor from Aishalton to Samatha Point, Grove, East Bank Demerara.

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