May 7, 2024
Ocho Rios, St. Ann. Jamaica
LATEST NEWS THE COURTS

Prison escapee has housebreaking case in St Mary

One of the five prisoners, who escaped from the Ocho Rios lock-up in August, has an ongoing case of housebreaking and larceny in the St Mary Parish Court.

He is 48-year-old Gary Ferguson from Dunsville, St Ann.

Ferguson is serving six months imprisonment for the offence of escaping custody.

When Ferguson’s matter was called up in the St Mary Parish Court on Thursday, August 31, it was heard that he would not be brought. A writ was asked for in order for him to be brought to court on September 14. The case will be mentioned then.

The allegations of housebreaking and larceny charge against Ferguson were not outlined in court. However, the North Coast Times understands that he broke into the home of the female complainant in Boscobel, St Mary. Following investigations, Ferguson was arrested and charged for the offence.

Gary Ferguson made headlines when he along with four others escaped the Ocho Rios lock-up on Friday morning, August 11.

It was reported by the Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) that at about 4 a.m. a team of officers was conducting a routine cell check exercise, when they saw the ventilation grill in the ceiling cut and five prisoners escaped.

However, hours later the police apprehended Ferguson.

Ferguson, who was in custody for unlawful possession, was found in Content Gardens in the parish at about 3 o’clock that Friday afternoon, according to a release from CCU.

Ferguson and two other escapees, who had been recaptured — 29-year-old David Anderson and 61-year-old Leroy Laud, alias Lucky — were brought before the St Ann Parish Court on Wednesday, August 23 on charges of escaping custody and malicious destruction of property.

The men pleaded guilty to escaping custody and were each sentenced to a term of six months imprisonment for the offence.

However, all three pleaded not guilty to the charge of malicious destruction of property. Another date was set in that matter for the case to be heard.

Another escapee, 21-year-old Nicholas Massop was on Monday, August 28 shot and killed during an operation by the police to arrest him.

Another escapee, RENARDO WILLIAMS, 26-year-old of Top Milford, Ocho Rios, St. Ann, remains on the run. Williams was in custody on charges of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.