Damion Powell a resident of Portmore, who absconded bail two years ago, was sentenced to six months hard labour for the offence in the Spanish Town RM Court on January 9.

The court was told that Powell was charged along with another man for murder, however, they got bail and Powell failed to turn up to court on February 15 , 2005 and has been on the run until he was caught.

When he was taken in front of the court, he told RM Lorna Errar Gayle that on the day when his case was mentioned he was sick and so he did not return. He said sometime after he saw the person with whom he was charged, and he was told that the case was finished.

RM Gayle told Powell he was irresponsible and she did not believe his sickness could have taken two years before he was caught by the police on January 2.

He was not represented when he appeared in court. - R.T.