A woman who is involved in a cross case and charged for several similar offences was warned for detention when she appeared before the St Ann Parish Court on Wednesday December 7.
She is Trellian Thorpe, a vendor of Ocho Rios, who was alleged to have committed several offences in the said resort town.
Among these offences, is one involving two tourism courtesy corps (TCC) officers in the uptown area of Ocho Rios in 2014. A video recording appeared to show the woman being abused by the officers.
The incident was captured on camera and went viral on social media, with persons venting their anger and disgust at the actions of the TCC officers.
Allegations are that Ms Thorpe was illegally offering her services as a tour guide, failed to move and kept moving, resisted arrest, and assaulted TCC officers.
Ms Thorpe is involved in a cross case with TCC officer, Chad Simmons who was not in court on Wednesday. Mr Simmons was charged for assaulting Thorpe. The court was told that Mr Simmons has missed several court dates. It was also said by a source that he has not been on the island for some time now.
As it regards the absence of Mr Simmons, Thorpe’s attorney Karen Russell told the court that her client should not have been in court for that matter as the complainant has not been appearing. Parish judge Peter Wilson, however, set a final mention date for the matter which he says will be discarded if Mr Simmons is absent on the next mention date which is set for June 16, 2017.
When the matter was first heard on Tuesday, June 3, 2014, Ms Russell said that Simmons was driving fear into her client, following the incident in which Thorpe was beaten by two members of the TCC.
After the publicity in response to the video, members of Marksman Security Company came out in support of the actions of the two officers who were involved in the incident.
Ms Russell also told the court that Thorpe had committed the offence as she is responsible for her six children and it is just for the sake of her family.
In another related matter for which Thorpe is before the court to pay a fine, Judge Wilson warned her for detention as she was not forthcoming with complete payment. She was granted an extension to make payment after Ms Russell made an application on her behalf.
