Anti-crime cop before magistrate

INSP Hosein Ali of the Special Anti-Crime Unit was yesterday granted continuing bail of $80,000 by a Siparia magistrate, when he appeared charged with perverting the course of public justice by allegedly placing 40 rounds of ammunition in a room owned by William Bill Crato. It was the 49-year-old policeman’s second appearance in court, since he was taken, upon arrest, before Port-of-Spain Magistrate Avason Quinlan last Friday. Ali, of Tabaquite, was jointly charged with schoolteacher Christine Vasti Jokhan. Jokhan had also been granted $80,000 bail by Quinlan.

Yesterday, the charge against Ali, who has 31 years of police service, was re-read by magistrate Jo-Anne Connor which alleged that on Wednesday January 5, 2005, at Southern Main Road, Dow Village, Rousillac, he committed an act intending to pervert the course of public justice by placing false evidence namely 40 rounds of ammunition in a room owned by William Bill Crato. The charge also alleged that the act was intended to pervert the course of public justice contrary to common law. Connor did not called on Ali to plead to the charge, which was laid indictably by ASP Chandraban Maharaj.

Attorney Rangee Dolsingh SC requested an opportunity to make a point in limine “to make a point before the actual start of the matter,” but this was turned down by Connor. The magistrate told Dolsingh that co-accused Jokhan will be re-appearing in court on April 25, and it would be appropriate then to hear his (Dolsingh) submissions. Dolsingh suggested to Connor that, having regard to the seriousness of the offence, a State attorney should be appointed to prosecute the matter. Connor replied that she was certain that a State prosecutor will be assigned as soon as possible. Ali will re-appear next week Monday.