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| Deputy Superintendent of Police Linval Phoenix (left) escorts Justice Carol Lawrence-Beswick, who is accompanied by Custos of St Andrew Dr Patricia Dunwell and Deputy Custos of Kingston Rion Hall during the parade to mark the opening of the Hilary Term at the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston, yesterday. (Photo: Karl McLarty) |
BY TANESHA MUNDLE Observer staff reporter mundlet@jamaicaobserver.com Tuesday, January 08, 2019
In light of the high number of sexual offences matters before the Home Circuit Court, Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jeremy Taylor yesterday called for more focus to be placed on the investigation, prosecution and punishment of sexual offenders.
“It is true that while murder is very serious because it involves the taking of a life, the number of sexual offences cry out for attention by our policymakers also. I say that to say initiatives and drive that are put into murders and gang cases should also be put into the investigation, prosecution and punishment of these sexual offenders,” Taylor said during his brief address at the opening of the Hilary Term.
The senior prosecutor's call was spurred by the 342 sexual offences cases which are booked to be dealt with during this term, including 189 rape cases; 76 cases of sexual intercourse with a person under 16 years of age; 24 buggery cases; nine cases of grievous sexual assault; seven sexual touching cases; and five cases of child pornography.
The combined sexual offences cases are however led by 556 cases of murder, which Taylor dubbed the “emperor of iniquity”.
In the meantime, the senior deputy director of public prosecutions said, based on the nearly 1,000 cases which are to be heard, the use of court time and expedition of justice is now the rallying cry.
“How is that we can get these cases tried and how is it we can deliver justice and law timely and to the high standards of law?” he asked. more
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