Bench warrant issued for policeman in arson case

Christopher Thomas, STAR Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

The Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court has issued a bench warrant for the investigating officer in the case against a St James man, who is accused of setting fire to his girlfriend's house in 2014, following a dispute.

Resident Magistrate Carolyn Tie issued the warrant after the investigator in the case against Elton Williams, who is charged with arson, failed to appear in court on Wednesday.

Prosecution's case-file

The court was told that an update was needed pertaining to phone records which are currently outstanding from the prosecution's case-file. This resulted in the warrant being issued for the investigating officer.

Williams had his bail extended until April 1, when the case against him will be mentioned.

It is alleged that on May 20, 2014, about 8:45 p.m., Williams and the complainant had a dispute which escalated into a fight, during which the complainant received a wound to her finger and Williams sustained an injury to his neck.

Both parties reported the matter to the police. However, sometime afterward, Williams was reportedly seen going through the window of the complainant's house, which later caught fire.