Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett earlier this week dismissed a case of alleged corruption brought against
government-employed bailiff Donald Soleyn after a key prosecution witness failed to attend court to give evidence.
Soleyn, who works within the magisterial court system, was arrested and charged last November with corruption, misappropriation of funds and possession of criminal property. He was charged that between
December 31st, 2015 and January 1st, 2017, at Bequia, while employed in the Public Service and being charged
with the performance of any duty by virtue of such employment, he corruptly solicited, received, or obtained
property, to wit, EC$300.00 in cash for himself on account of anything to be afterwards done or omitted to be done
by him in the discharge of his office as a bailiff in the Magistrate’s Court. He was also charged that between
December 31st, 2015 and January 1st, 2017, at Bequia, he dishonestly appropriated EC$200.00 in cash belonging
to Wayne Peters of Bequia, with the intention of permanently depriving him of the said EC$200.00; and that
between December 31st, 2015 and January 1st, 2017, at Bequia, he had in his possession criminal property to wit
EC$200.00.
Soleyn pleaded not guilty when he initially appeared in court last November and maintained his plea when the trial
started earlier this year. There were a number of adjournments since the trial started.
On Monday, when the trial was scheduled to resume, the matter did not proceed because a witness vital to
the prosecution’s case did not show up and the matter was then dismissed for want of prosecution.
Soleyn was represented by Kay Bacchus-Baptiste.