Magistrate places interdicted prison officer Steve Morton on curfew
Magistrate Richards was forced to find suitable penalties to contain Martin as he has allegedly been absenting himself from court appearances without excuse, something she said the court has zero tolerance for.
Steve Morton is facing charges of allegations that he was paid $70.00 to smuggle a cellular phone into Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) for an inmate James Telesforde John. The charges are breach of trust by a public official and abuse of office for financial gains involving $70.00 having allegedly been occasioned between August 27 and September 10, 2012.
At the time, Mr John was among five charged in connection with a drug bust of some $11.4M worth of cocaine and $688,465.00 cash.
The matter involving Mr Morton had come up in the Magistrate’s Court on a number of occasions but was put down as the accused allegedly continued to absent himself and has been ‘dodging’ police officers, the court heard on November 28, 2013.
When he appeared yesterday, his case was not on the list but was still dealt with. His excuse was that he had injured his back and had no way of communicating as he was out of a job and couldn’t afford to put credit in his phone.
The magistrate blasted the man for his irresponsible actions of allegedly deliberately absenting himself from court appearances and evading police officers.
She told him that because of his actions she would have wanted to remand him to prison but took into consideration that he was a supervisor of many of the inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison. “They will be very happy to have him there. He got good size but there (inmates) are many in there.”
Initially, the crown had objected to having Morton released into the public but subsequently suggested that he be given a last chance to appear when due. “If he wants to be treated like a baby we will treat him like one,” said Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham.
Morton was placed on a curfew starting from 10 P.M. and ending at 6 A.M. daily and report to the Virgin Gorda police station Mondays to Fridays of every week. He must provide the court with the name of his landlord and his full address. If there should be any change of address or any other information, this must be made available to the Virgin Gorda Police Station among other conditions.
He was also required get two sureties for his $65,000 bail. While in police custody awaiting the arrangements for a second surety, he was escorted to the Road Town Police Station where it was alleged that he was wanted to answers complaints of him beating his girlfriend recently.
Steve Morton was also recently found not guilty of allegedly assaulting a juvenile inmate of Her Majesty’s Prison.
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22 Responses to “Magistrate places interdicted prison officer Steve Morton on curfew”
He allegedly sold himself for $70.00!!! What a shame if so!!!!!
Things have to be rough for he to only allegedly collect $70 from them dr*g man.
I thought Myron say that those prison jobs pay well! LOL
Stating that he cannot afford to put money on his phone is hogwash and allegedly abusing his authority on the job is unacceptable. Not showing up to court on purpose with flimsy excuses is really stupid.
Every man jack in the prison allegedly has cell phones. Why are the other culprits being arrested? The iron lady is not doing nothing to defuse the problem at Balsam Ghut. a freeking nusisance and dictator
HOW COME HE GET AWAY FOR allegedly HITTING THE YOUTH HEAD ON THE FLOOR ER
And its only going to get worst under Myw< because this moran is filling the posts of prison guard with fat, lazy,rude,dont care youths to look after hard core criminals. Mr. Foot need to hurry take up his appointmest as superintendent of prison. Myron,Mark and the entire NDP and Fraser need to go immediately!
you are on bail sir; and the Magistrate exercised her discretion to allow you bail under section 60 (2) or, section 61 of the Magistrate's code of procedure Act,Cap 44 of the laws of the Virgin Islands:
As a "discipline" officer of HMP,I would expect you to obey and follow the terms and conditions of your bail!