News
Bishop Clarence Williams Re-Trial for Alleged Sexual Assault, begins
By Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Reporter
#TurksandCaicos, June 29, 2023 – Having being convicted and sentenced since February 24, 2022, Clarence Williams, who was found guilty of Indecent Assault of a male after a trial by jury before Her Ladyship Justice Tanya Lobban-Jackson, the former church bishop is getting his new trial and it may include a new charge for possible conviction.
Williams had been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment; suspended from church work for two years and made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. The indictment had contained two counts, but the jury could not agree
on count two and were discharged from reaching a verdict in respect of that count.
In the Supreme Court on Friday 23rd June 2023 before newly appointed Judge to the TCI high court bench, his lordship Mr. Chris Selochan, the crown led by King’s Counsel Mr. Andrew Mitchell and assisted by Ms. Tamika Grant, told the court that at the re-trial it is the Crown’s intention to apply to the court to reinstate the count that the jury was not able to reach a verdict on in the first trial.
The Court of Appeal, had quashed the conviction, also discharging the sentenced and calling for a retrial in the matter in the Interest Of Justice.
Counsel for the defendant strongly petitioned the court to consider his client’s age, 77 (at the time), his resignation from all duties within the church and his possible ill health, that there should be no retrial.
The Court of Appeal resisted the submission and ordered a retrial of Clarence Wiliams.
It was between September and November of 2017, the complainant Jeff Josue Saunders was riding his bicycle in Five Cays. He stopped for a rest near to the entrance that leads to the Church of God Prophecy. There he met Bishop Clarence Williams. The accused was a Bishop of the said church. The accused was sitting in his car and a conversation ensued, during which the Bishop Williams invited Saunders to his office to collect $6 for lunch. Saunders accepted and later in the day he rode his bicycle to the Bishop’s office. There the Bishop told Saunders that he was sweaty, smelt badly and invited him to use the bathroom facility at the office. The appellant led Saunders to his sink and took a cloth/flannel from the shower nearby and proceeded to wash Saunders’ body eventually making his way to his genitalia, under the pretext that he was teaching Saunders personal hygiene.
The only other relevant matter was that Saunders was a Paranoid Schizophrenic.
The Bishop admitted that the encounter occurred, but alleged that the bathroom incident was a total fabrication.
At the appeal hearing Bishop Williams’ King’s Counsel attorney Mr. Jerome Lynch assisted by Mr. Mark Fulford, submitted that the learned trial judge erred in failing to safeguard the appellant’s right to a fair trial by refusing to sanction the Crown’s use of material that was undisclosed and should not have been put in cross-examination, by discharging the jury or at the very least telling the jury to disregard the questions as they should not have been suggested and as there was no evidence to support them.
And similarly to warn them again in her summing-up.
Counsel for the respondent admitted that prosecuting counsel did not give the defence advance disclosure of the challenged questions, but denied that the non-disclosure amounted to a material irregularity which rendered the conviction unsafe.
Counsel for the appellant submitted that two questions which were put to the appellant during cross examination by prosecuting counsel Mr. Oliver Smith, KC were improper.
The first question, prosecuting counsel put to the appellant was that he and his wife had been estranged for 20 years. Counsel submitted that was untrue and not predicated on any disclosure relating to antecedents. In the course of giving his evidence the appellant had spoken of not being aware of any complaints of a similar nature being made against him.
The second question prosecuting counsel asked was:
“Q. Weren’t you thrown out of your house by your wife for allegations of sexual abuse of other male — men?
- Definitely not, says the Bishop.
The court of appeal heard Bishop’s appeal on JANUARY 23, 2023 and delivered it’s decision on FEBRUARY 8, 2023.
The appeal was Heard Before: The Honourable Mr. Justice K. Neville Adderley – President Ag; The Honourable Mr. Justice Stanley John – Justice of Appeal; The Honourable Mr. Justice Sir Ian Winder – Justice of Appeal; *Appearances and representation were by: Mr. Jerome Lynch KC and Mr. Mark Fulford For the Appellant.
Mr. Oliver Smith KC and Ms. Tamika Grant For the Respondent, February 24, 2022
Friday’s hearing (23rd June, 2023) Bishop Williams’ counsels were Mr. Jerome Lynch KC and Ms. Sheena Mair.
The matter was adjourned to various different dates in July, potentially August, as well as dates in September for counsels from both sides to submit applications and responses to February 24, 2022 applications and submissions.
Bishop was released on self -signed bail until his new trial, if dates and counsels are available in September.
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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