News

Racehorse groom remanded

By RASBERT TURNER, Star Writer

SPANISH TOWN

DERRICK MCLEOD, 40, a groom at Caymanas Park, St. Catherine, was remanded in the Spanish Town RM court on Thursday, on a charge of carnal abuse. He will return to court on August 18.

The court heard that at about 2 a.m. on March 18, this year, McLeod, who was a family friend of the seven-year-old complainant, went into her room where she was held on a bed and sexually assaulted.

The child's father came into the room, saw McLeod and severely beat him. The police was called and he was turned over to them and subsequently charged.

When the case came up for mention before RM Carol Edwards, defence attorney Sharon Gordon-Townsend told the court her client was in custody now for nearly five months and the police have not yet presented the medical certificate. She told the court McLeod lived in Gregory Park at the time of the incident, but is prepared to go to Riverton Meadows, St. Andrew, to live with family members.

The family members were called into the court. However, after going over the documents, the RM remanded McLeod telling him that until the medical certificate was present she does not know how best to grant bail.