June 7, 2021 – On June 3, 2021, former JCF officer, Detective Constable Sherwood Simpson was sentenced to 19 years for the offence of wounding with intent and 14 years for the offence of illegal possession of firearm respectively. The sentences are to run concurrently.

The ex-cop was charged following an investigation by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) into the shooting injury of a civilian in St. Mary on December 23, 2013. It is alleged that the accused and three other persons took the civilian to a remote area in St. Mary where he was shot and abandoned.

Mr. Simpson was first convicted in June 2015 and was sentenced to five years and 15 years at hard labour for illegal possession of firearm and wounding with intent respectively. The conviction was appealed and in 2017, the Court of Appeal ruled that the conviction be quashed, the sentences set aside and ordered a retrial in the interest of justice.

The retrial began on April 12, 2021 and was heard in the Supreme Court by the Chief Justice, His Lordship The Honourable Mr. Justice Bryan Sykes. Mr. Simpson was found guilty on May 5, 2021.

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