Sturge guilty of contempt

UPDATED:

Outspoken attorney and former United National Congress (UNC) Senator Wayne Sturge has been found guilty of contempt of court.

Sturge’s professional conduct came under scrutiny after he posted comments on his Facebook page about a criminal trial at the Port of Spain High Court in October, last year.

The former UNC Senator was yesterday found guilty of the criminal offence by Justice Norton Jack who ordered that he pay a fine of $5,000 within seven days or, in default, spend six months in jail.

In addressing the court after he was found guilty, Sturge apologised for his conduct and said he did not expect his posts would have had the effect they did.

In his Facebook post, Sturge was critical of the State’s main witness Nigel Roderique, alias “Cat” in the Samdaye Rampersad murder trial.

Sturge was the lead counsel for two of the five accused men who were before the court for Rampersad’s murder at their third trial. They were found guilty of manslaughter and each sentenced to 28 years in prison Sturge was represented, yesterday, by attorney and UNC Senator Gerald Ramdeen.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Outspoken attorney and former United National Congress (UNC) Senator Wayne Sturge has been found guilty of contempt of court.

Sturge’s professional conduct came under scrutiny after he posted comments on his Facebook page of a criminal trial at the Port of Spain High Court in October, last year.

The former UNC Senator was earlier today found guilty of the criminal offence by Justice Norton Jack who ordered that he pay a fine of $5,000 within seven days or in default spend six months in jail.

“I expect that this will never happen again,” the judge said after he accepted Sturge’s apology.

More in tomorrow's Newsday.