Crime

Former Chief Minister David Brandt was successful in three counts of his appeals against his convictions for sexual exploitation. The decision was handed down by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court during a sitting in Antigua on Thursday. Brandt was sentenced in 2021 after being found guilty on seven counts of sexually exploiting girls under the age of 18 and one count of perverting the course of justice. He appealed all seven sexual exploitation convictions, and both the conviction and sentence relating to the charge of perverting the course of justice, in September. The court upheld three of the sexual exploitation appeals, but the four other convictions remain in place. The sentences for those remaining convictions still stand, ranging from eight to nine years, and will continue to run concurrently. The court quashed the sentence for perverting the course of justice. It ruled that the original 15-year sentence imposed was “manifestly excessive” and it was replaced with a four-year sentence. The conviction itself was not overturned. The court noted that he has already spent time in prison, and taking into account standard reductions, Brandt is expected to remain in custody for roughly another year. He was represented in the appeal by attorney Dr David Dorsett. The prosecution was led by King’s Counsel Annesta Weekes, alongside Director of Public Prosecutions Oris Sullivan.

The Royal Montserrat Police Service (RMPS) is reporting that there has not been any breakthrough in what has been described as a hit-and-run accident involving Nathan Galloway. Galloway was injured in a night-time incident earlier this year in which he sustained substantial in juries. Commissioner of police Mark Payne says the findings from items which were sent off island for forensic examination are inconclusive and as such they are unable to charge anyone with causing Galloway’s injuries. He however says the investigations are continuing