WESTERN BUREAU:
TWO MEN who were charged with the murder of a bus driver during the recent islandwide protests over increases in motor vehicles licensing fees, were remanded in custody when they appeared in the Whithorn Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.
Andrew Dryden, 28, of Whitehouse, Westmoreland and Morris Atkins, 40 of Haughton Grove, Hanover are accused of stabbing to death Gladstone Allen as he attempted to transport passengers from Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland to Montego Bay, St. James. The incident occurred on January 6 as taxi operators around the island withdraw their services to protest the hiked fees.
It is reported that Allen refused to participate in the protest.
In court yesterday, attorney-at-law Delford Morgan, who is representing Atkinson, attempted to apply for bail for his client.
However, Resident Magistrate for Westmoreland Mr. A. Frankson told him that investigation into the matter was continuing and bail could not be considered.
Dryden has no legal representation.
According to police and court reports Allen, also known as 'G,' was carrying passengers towards Montego Bay when he was stopped on the Mackfield main road by a group of bus operators who used their vehicles to block the road. They had been pursuing him from Whithorn district some five miles away.
They ordered the passengers out of Allen's Toyota Hiace bus but some refused.
Allen was told to switch off the engine and he refused to do so. When he attempted to drive away he was stabbed in the chest. He managed to drive away in search of medical attention but on reaching the community of Chicester he lost consciousness and the bus ran off the road. He was driven to the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital where he died while undergoing treatment.
Atkins was first identified and taken into custody by the Ramble police.
He was subsequently handed over to the Whithorn police who charged him with murder. Dryden was arrested and charged soon after that.
Both men are expected back in court on January 21.
