Subpoena issued for cop in Donna-Lee case

A subpoena was issued for Constable Noel Maitland, the boyfriend of missing social media influencer Donna-lee Donaldson, to attend the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

The subpoena was issued by Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque on Tuesday after prosecutors disclosed that they were unable to proceed with a particular assault case at this time as the file is missing a statement from Maitland.

The court heard that Maitland is the apprehending officer in a matter involving an accused man, Gilbert Cooper, who is charged with assault at common law.

Cole-Montaque, on hearing the reference to Constable Maitland Maitland, asked whether he was the same person whose name has been mentioned in the Donaldson missing person matter. The response was in the affirmative.

Donaldson has been reported missing since July 11. Her boyfriend, Maitland, has been removed from froneline duties as investigators probe her disappearance.

In court on Tuesday, the prosecutor said that it is important that Maitland "be available to make the statement".

However, Vincent Wellesley Snr, who represents  Cooper, appeared to have adopted a more cynical outlook.

“He will not be coming, Your Honour, not for now. If he comes soon, he will be placed, not beside [name of prosecutor], but elsewhere,” said the defence attorney.

Maitland was arrested on Wednesday in relation to the disappearance of Donaldson

Fitz Bailey, deputy commissioner of police,  said that "There was adequate evidence to link Constable Noel Maitland to the disappearance of Ms Donaldson". However, Bailey, who heads the security and crime portfolio within the JCF, was reluctant to state the likely charges.

"We not going into that right now in relation to charges of Ms Donaldson's disappearance. Not right now," said Bailey when he was contacted by THE STAR on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, in court on Tuesday, Judge Cole-Montaque then asked whether she should issue a subpoena for Maitland to attend court, to which  the prosecutor replied, “Yes, Your Honour.”

The allegations are that Cooper brandished a knife and told the complainant not to scream. He then draped her and allegedly said, “Mek me tell yuh something, anytime yuh man come 'round deh, me a guh shot the two a dem.” 

Cooper has not yet entered a plea.  The matter was then set for mention on September 6. 

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