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Judge Redhead bans all media from coverage of sex offence trial

DPP vows to continue trend in coverage of future trials involving sexual offences
High Court Judge Albert Redhead has upheld an application by the Crown to ban the media from coverage of a sex offence trial. Photo: bajanreporter.com
All sexual-related matters in the Virgin Islands High Court are now likely to be held in camera as the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has vowed to continually block the media from covering such cases. Photo: VINO/File
All sexual-related matters in the Virgin Islands High Court are now likely to be held in camera as the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has vowed to continually block the media from covering such cases. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- All sexual-related matters in the Virgin Islands High Court are now likely to be held in camera as the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has vowed to continually block the media from covering such cases.

This was revealed in the High Court on Monday November 26 2012 by Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham.

Prior to the commencement of a trial on an alleged sexual related offence, Graham made an application before Justice Albert Redhead requesting that the matter be held in camera.

He said given the “smallness” of the Virgin Islands society, the accessibility of persons to the media and to electronic communication, “we believe that in fairness to complainants and victims of sexual offenses, that to have their personal details be detailed in the public domain really ought to be balanced and to be respected.”

Graham said he was making the request against his appreciation for publicity and for the role of the media in the criminal justice system but having regards to the personal details of the victims being aired in public and in many regards to the defendants as well.

“We believe that the public interest ought to prevail especially in crimes of sexual nature and it is for that that I believe the legislators in their wisdom deployed [Section 46] subsection 6 in the Evidence Act. I for one, for the future going forward, will ask for this section to be employed in matters of sexual offences and my application is for the [current] matter to be heard in camera and therefore the media be excluded for the duration of the trial.”

Judge Redhead then granted the application which then excluded the media and all persons not associated with the trial from the court room.

39 Responses to “Judge Redhead bans all media from coverage of sex offence trial”

  • bbc radio (28/11/2012, 08:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It’s just a feeling.... A gut wrenching feeling... that all of our rights and freedom are going backwards...the BVI is the new Middle East the new Egypt, Cuba, and China!
    • ddb (28/11/2012, 08:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Can you please expand your comment a bit further...tell us what freedom are being threatened by this 'gut wrenching feeling'
    • Virgin Son (28/11/2012, 09:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Poli-tricks i tell you eh...
    • Release (28/11/2012, 09:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I am waitin to see if dem weak media people goin let this one go Just so
      • AC-360 (28/11/2012, 09:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        The pen is indeed mightier than the sword from time immemorial and will be till the end of time. It is quite mind boggling that a judge and a DPP will agree to such backwards measures…
    • billyb (28/11/2012, 09:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I feel your pain. Trust me, this has nothing to do with the protection on the virtual Complainants and everything to do with trials like "Penn". A political intersection that will eventually get him and perverts related to politicians like him to get off scott free. Thank God, Redhead and policians (man on a whole) has absolutely no say on who will enter the pearly gates cuz many of us would be screwed.
      • check this out (28/11/2012, 10:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        In New York Times v. Sullivan, in which the First Amendment was used to rein in the law of libel, the Supreme Court focused on the “profound national commitment to the principle that debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust, and wide-open
        • Buff-Baff (28/11/2012, 18:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          I didn't know that the US Supreme Court had jurisdiction over the BVI. I think that you should keep that out of the discussion; go and study the BVI or UK constitution and see waht they say on such matters.
    • lockemup (28/11/2012, 12:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I am not sure whose rights you consider infringed. If it is the rights of the accused, then you are mistaken. Rather than going backwards, as you suggest, the right of a victim of a sexual crime for anonymity during trial is common in all modern court systems. This is especially true hear, where the community is small. This right is necessary to assist brave victims give evidence.
  • weed (28/11/2012, 08:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Redhead aint playing...this time tis dey media another one bites the dust!
  • mother hen (28/11/2012, 09:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    sounds like a media curfew fete
  • thats right (28/11/2012, 09:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is the best thing to do, since that trial two weeks ago they should have stop the media right and then. They distroyed the young lady not remembering who the young man was. The media always saying the opposite of what really took place. Redhead is the best one for them.
  • Victims' Rights (28/11/2012, 09:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Thank God. Sexual assault, rape, molestation etc are all crimes that a victim is more often than not, ashamed of and terrified of details being known. It is too often people judge the victim as "getting what was coming". NO one should ever have their own person violated for any reason. It has been disgusting to read people blog nastiness against women and children laying out their personal story of a horrible crime comitted against them. I am even happier to hear that this will not happen again in any media outlet.

  • BREAKING NEWS (28/11/2012, 09:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hhhmmmmm how come me aint see this on the NDP propaganda site platinum and when VINO could not cover a case by dey same judge dem had it all over as big news…set ah hypocrisy...so glad my company pull out from advertising with dat site!
  • kid (28/11/2012, 09:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where is the outrage from the media fraternity? before I start my own rant!
  • Polo (28/11/2012, 09:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    it is important to uphold democracy.
  • John Public (28/11/2012, 10:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    My take on this is: It is a move by the DDP to deny the public from knowing what a piss poor job they do in handling sex-related cases. This ban is ridiculous. I support no blogging and revealing identity of victims but banning the media altogether is a backward step in these Virgin Islands. Peace
    • techer john (28/11/2012, 10:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I will be the first to say that some of these online news sites are out of control but most people will agree that the media's function is not just to report for reporting sake but to act as a guardian of the public interest and as a watchdog on the activities of government and the legal system

      As such it is an essential cog in the system of checks and balances that form part of our democracy.
      One cannot place restrictions on the media if they are to do their jobs properly in a free democratic society as we understand we are and as part and parcel of the Western world.

      In recent times many wrong doings have been uncovered and exposed thru the work of the media and these online news. The world media has risk limb and life in many cases -especially on the battlefront of conflicts as in the Middle East. In the supposed bastion of democracy, the USA, a president had to demit office because of what is known as the Watergate scandal as a result of the investigative work of two journalists.

      Today it’s the media tomorrow it will be the people!
  • Space (28/11/2012, 10:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The next move is to ban the media from covering all court cases. We going really nice...NOT!
    • she the cat mother (28/11/2012, 10:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      One Day it’s the politicians (Myron) wants to censor the media the next day it’s the court!! The next day it’s the governor breaking the laws by violating the constitution. B V I REDIENTS WAKE UP YOUR RIGHTS ARE GOING FAST
  • flips (28/11/2012, 10:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    what's so wrong with this? we have jurors and others that can be swayed by news reporting and the fact that people's names are being smeared. let the media report after the case is over. why do we need to know details of sexual crimes? its not our business, all we should be concerned about is that if a person committed a crime they are punished accordingly. 

  • one eye (28/11/2012, 12:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    ayo better do not play around with redhead..he aint backing down from no body even he boss!
  • mines (28/11/2012, 13:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I totally agree with you flips. The media can make or break anyone.
    • dc (28/11/2012, 18:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I hear you clearly Judge Redhead! but nothing is going to come of this action as the media houses are to disorganized to challenge this band…what kind of country is this where the media will be silence
  • insider (28/11/2012, 15:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I suggest there be a public consultation to hear what people are saying about this ban.
    • back @ insider (29/11/2012, 01:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Input? Did you say INPUT? Hold on here a cotton pickin second!! INPUT!!!
  • good to great (28/11/2012, 17:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good people become evil when people remain silent.
  • *** (28/11/2012, 18:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I love it! It was disgusting reading those graphic details which the media appeared to have had a field day reporting on. Noting to shield our young chidren's eyes, and we have to remember that the victims have feelings, too.

    I thank the good judge that prudence is being exercised at last, and hopefully this will be the way forward.
  • .. (28/11/2012, 21:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The way some of these media houses operate they need more than banning from the court house. I have been blogging on the story about Miss BVI is not happy with car along with many acquaintances and any positive for Miss BVI is not being posted. But the story will be told. And whomever thought that they were are part of Miss BVI camp and give the story. Please be advised that Miss BVI does not have a camp so the person could not be speaking on behalf of Miss BVI. She does not need anyone to speak for her but as I say the story will be told. And to all of you who think that she is dependant on any car from anybody gift or otherwise to get around think again.
  • fire! (29/11/2012, 05:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this should of been in effect before nat
  • wrong way (29/11/2012, 23:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If no one wants to say it, I would. plain and simple: Judge this is wrong!
  • al sharpton (30/11/2012, 19:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If the media and the people does not challenge these things then one can expect things like this to happen!!
  • Please tell me (03/12/2012, 23:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Almost every month I keep seeing on some BVI news forum so politician or judge want to block media access and create speech laws and I don't know the laws so I don't know if I can protest or not. I feel like this is wrong but I don't know my rights so I can't say anything. Can someone please tell me how I can attain a document about my speech rights?


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