Michael McLean, Gleaner Writer

Lacovia, St. Elizabeth:

Member of Parliament for North West St. Elizabeth, J.C. Hutchinson, who was facing charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and breaches of the Solid Waste Management Act, had the case against him dismissed yesterday when he appeared in the Santa Cruz Resident Magistrate's Court.

Resident Magistrate Stanley Clarke told Mr. Hutchinson, who was being represented by attorney-at-law Cecil July, that he was free to go as the investigating officer had been absent from at least six court sittings.

The Jamaica Labour Party MP was charged following an incident along the Lacovia main road during the party's islandwide demonstration on the afternoon of September 6, 2005.

Blocking main road

It was alleged that the MP was seen leading a group of people clad in party colours, blocking the main road in Lacovia.

It was reported that Mr. Hutchinson was spotted and identified by the police as the leader of the group. He was then ordered by the police to disband the blockade, but refused. The police made an attempted to apprehend Mr. Hutchinson but their efforts were thwarted by the large group of protesters.

Mr. Hutchinson's lawyer issued a stern warning to the missing policeman involved in the matter, telling him he could not hide.

"He can't run and he can't hide. We are here, we will be here and waiting and we need to have the officer in the box," Mr. July said.

Shortly after Mr. Hutchinson left the courthouse, he told reporters that he would be filing a lawsuit against the police.

"As far as the charges against me were concerned, I knew that they were false, and as a result, the policeman has not turned up for the last three occasions and since he has not turned up, the judge has dismissed the case for lack of prosecution," Mr. Hutchinson said.