PCA director appeals police trustee's discharge

POLICE Complaints Authority (PCA) director David West has appealed against a magistrate's decision to dismiss charges against a former trustee of the Police Social and Welfare Association (PSWA), who was accused of failing to provide documents on 2015’s Day of Total Policing to the PCA.

The appeal against Insp Ian Carty came up for hearing in the Court of Appeal this morning, but was adjourned.

The adjournment was sought by the PCA as its lead counsel Douglas Mendes, SC, was not available for today's hearing.

In December 2016, Carty was discharged after now retired senior magistrate Gail Gonzales upheld a no-case submission advanced by Carty’s attorneys that the PSWA was not a public body which could be called on to provide documents.

She further held that there was no evidence against the association’s trustee.

Both Carty and West were in court. Carty is represented by attorney John Heath, while Trevor Clarke, legal counsel at the PCA, appeared for West.

Also adjourned to March 21 was an appeal by Selwyn ‘Robocop’ Alexis who was fined for a series of offences of using insulting language, failing to produce insurance, failing to wear a seat belt, refusing to give his address and failing to produce a driver’s permit.

State attorney Mauricia Joseph told Justices Alice Yorke-Soo Hon and Mark Mohammed she has applied for a certified copy of Alexis’ death certificate but has not yet received it. The judges agreed to adjourn the appeal.

In July 2016, Alexis was killed at his Enterprise, Chaguanas business place.