Magistrate orders ‘no bail’ warrant for his arrest

A “no-bail” warrant has been issued by Tobago Senior Magistrate Annette McKenzie for the arrest of a police corporal who failed to attend court on several occasions as a witness in an escaping custody matter. McKenzie issued the warrant for the arrest of Cpl Geronimo “GG” Charles, who is attached to the Moriah Police Station, after he failed to appear in court on Wednesday despite being served with a summons to do so. Charles was summoned to appear in a matter in which Joel Grant is charged with escaping legal custody at the Scarborough Police Station on January 8.

Grant was arrested three days earlier for allegedly breaking into the adjoined home/business place of Novalene James at Cinammon Hill late last year. Charles has not appeared in court to date in the escaping custody matter. Following his non-appearance on previous occasions, a summons was subsequently issued for him to appear in court. However, he failed to appear when the matter was called Wednesday and the warrant was issued. The magistrate ordered that he not be granted bail when he is arrested. The matter will come up for hearing again on March 23.