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by pltm
(PLTM) - A total of eleven criminal matters where dismissed in today's Magistrate’s Court sitting, January 13, in accordance with the three strikes and out rule, recently implemented by Magistrate Ayanna Baptiste Dabreo.
Dabreo first made mention of this rule in a sitting last October 2016, where she stated that matters awaiting presence from persons who have been summoned via bench warrants, will only appear on the court's list 4 times, with the 4th mentioned date being a final adjournment.
The rule stemmed from constant excuses from representatives of the crown, noting that warrants have not yet been served to the relevant persons, and as such, no appearances were made.
In a rant at the time, Magistrate Dabreo stated that she will no longer hold matters on her list that are running for five and six mentions without appearances.
“It’s wasting the court's time. If persons aren’t served by the 4th time, I will rule for discontinuance. The BVI is a small place to find these persons. Three strikes and they’re out.”
Some of the matters that were thrown out include those of Manueal McKelly, Ashkenza Miller, David Turnbull and Dillon Sutton, all charged with common assault.
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