The failure of a complainant to appear in court yesterday in relation to a matter resulted in the adjournment of the case against the man who was charged with harbouring a juvenile.

Nigel Webb, a barber and sound system operator, of Orangefield District, St Catherine, had his matter adjourned sine die (matter adjourned without a date being set) after defence attorney Earle Hamilton successfully argued that the case had been before the court since 2007.

Hamilton convinced Resident Simone Wolfe-Reece in the Linstead Resident Magistrate's Court that the constant failure of the witness to attend court was unjust to his client.

After consulting with Clerk of Courts, Ingrid Bryan, the matter was adjourned.

Webb's appearance in court arose from an incident in 2007 when the police went to Orangefield and reportedly found a 14-year-old girl naked in Webb's bed.

It was revealed that the child should have been at school in Bog Walk.

The accused who maintained his innocence throughout was told that he should keep the peace.

- R.T.