Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

The two men who were charged in May last year with trafficking in persons, arising from their alleged attempt to get a 14-year-old girl involved in prostitution, were each offered bail yesterday in the sum of $300,000 with sureties.

They are Agon Stephens, a 52-year-old woodcrafter, and Narcot Graham, a 54-year-old businessman and taxi operator, both of Kingston addresses.

Justice Kay Beckford offered them bail after hearing bail applications from defence lawyers Lynden Wellesley and Lloyd McFarlane.

The judge ordered them to return to the Home Circuit Court on March 12 when their trial will begin.

Pimping a 14-year-old

They were charged in May last year with trafficking in persons and procuring a 14-year-old to become a prostitute. The Crown is alleging that in May last year, the men planned with an undercover police officer for him to have sexual intercourse with the girl for US$400 (J$26,400). The money was allegedly paid to the men and, when the police later swooped down on them, they were held with a total of US$400 in their possession.

The men first appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court. The Director of Public Prosecutions took the decision that the case should proceed to trial and the case was sent to the Home Circuit Court.