DESPITE HIS pleas of innocence, Paul Johnson also called 'Day-deh' of Green Island in Hanover, was remanded in custody when he made his first appearance in the Sandy Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Thursday morning. Johnson is alleged to have assisted three prisoners to escape from the Green Island Police lock-up on the night of Saturday, November 9.
It is reported that on the night of the escape, the three prisoners, deaf mute Fitzroy Facey of Orange Bay, Howard Vassel of Green Island and Lensford Hazel of Success district in the parish, used chisels, hammer and a hack-saw blade to make their way through a six-inch ventilation grill at the back of the lock-up. Johnson, was spotted at the rear of the lock-up making hand signals to the prisoners. Upon the approach of the police he fled.
He was captured on Tuesday by the Lucea police, who had launched a manhunt. He was arrested and charged with the offences of attempting to pervert the course of justice, aiding and abetting escaping custody, and communicating with prisoners.
Facey, who was in custody for charges of burglary and indecent assault was recaptured by the police after he was seen running in the direction of the Green Island town square. He was alleged to have committed the offence in June of this year and was granted bail at the time but was re-arrested several days later by the Green Island police after he allegedly attempted to attack the complainant and her seven-year-old daughter.
Vassel who was in custody on a Family Court matter of Affiliation (child maintenance) was handed over to the police by his father the following day.
He, along with Facey were re-arrested and charged with escaping from custody. Both were remanded in custody when they appeared in the Green Island RM Court on Wednesday.
The other prisoner, 28-year-old Lensford Hazel of Success district in the parish, is still on the run. He was convicted in the Hanover Circuit Court last week on a charge of carnal abuse and was sentenced to three years imprisonment and was awaiting his transfer to prison.
Johnson, while in court began to beg for his own release.
"Could I get a bail please your honour? I am an innocent man," he told the judge.
"I've heard that song before," was the judge's response. "Bail is not granted at this time."
A fingerprint order was made and Johnson was booked to appear in the Green Island RM Court next Wednesday.
