Artesia primarily covers court stories, but she also writes extensively about crime.
A magistrate on Tuesday gave the prosecution a final chance to have the alleged victim in an indecent assault case testify.
Magistrate Shaka Serville gave the ultimatum after lamenting the fact that neither the 12-year-old virtual complainant nor her mother had ever appeared in court to testify.
Prosecutors allege that a 59-year-old man, whose name has been withheld, kissed his niece on the lips in July 2021. At the time of the alleged incident, the accused lived in the same home as his alleged victim.
Yesterday, Sergeant Deon Barr said that he had contacted the child’s guardian by telephone, but she said that she was unable to make the court date due to late notice.
Serville remarked that the matter had been called up seven times since the accused was arraigned on July 29, 2021 and the key prosecution witnesses never appeared.
Serville said, “This is a very serious allegation. I can’t see how someone makes such an allegation in earnest, and on several occasions has not come to court.”
On the other hand, the accused has been present for each adjournment. The man, who works as a diver, said the court adjournment had affected his ability to go to sea.
If the witnesses aren’t present on March 13, 2023 adjournment, Serville said that he would exercise his discretion to dismiss the case.