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.
Turks and Caicos, July 4, 2025 – Grace Bay once more delighted swimmers at the 15th annual Turks & Caicos “Race for the Conch” Eco-SeaSwim on June 28, 2025. The 2.4-mile, 1 mile, and 1/2-mile events drew 75 participants from the US, Canada, Barbados, and Mexico along with 35 TCI swimmers. Another 16 youngsters under 10 years and undertook part in the 100-meter swim.
Each race saw several outstanding open water swimmers competing for conch trophies in near perfect sea conditions. Other swimmers
wanted to challenge themselves while enjoying the experience of gliding through the inviting turquoise waters. As before, the start and finish took place on the beach in front of Rickie’s Flamingo Cafe.
Local swimmers once more showed they could compete with the best. Sean Walters and Asher Soderquist (just 10 years old) picked up extraordinary 2nd and 3rd places respectively in the 1/2 Mile Men’s Division. Isaac Farley secured a splendid 3rd place in the 1-mile Men’s Division, while Lex Olerenshaw grabbed a superb 3rd place in the 2.4-mile Men’s Division. Several other TCI swimmers placed among the top 5 or 10 in each event.
Orrin Meyer from the US turned in a blistering time of 51 minutes, 15 seconds to win the 2.4-mile (Ironman distance) Men’s Division, just over 10 minutes faster than 2nd place male finisher—his father, Jay Meyer. The Women’s Division swimmers in the 2.4 mile were no less impressive with Samantha Peck from the US coming in 1st with a smashing time of 1 hour, 2 minutes, 31 seconds. She was followed by Nathalie and Carrie Trantner.
Ari Henson won the 1-mile Men’s Division followed by Ryan Williams. while the Women’s Division was won by Julie Henson followed by Mary Mackley and Mary-Anne Savage.
In the 1/2-mile Men’s Division Garry Mahon from Barbados took 1st, while Celia Wolf took 1st in the Women’s Division followed by Stella Lord and Cara Stein. Race organizers Ben Stubenberg and Chloe Zimmermann could not be more pleased with the wonderful turnout, especially the increasing numbers of TCI swimmers in the race. Stubenberg said, “It is so gratifying to see how the race has progressed over the years. We love welcoming the new swimmers, as well as reconnecting with the swimmers who return year after year. No venue can match Grace Bay for open water swimming.” Zimmermann added, “We are thrilled at how the race generates so much enthusiasm among participants who all push themselves to go the distance and do their personal best.”
Unsurprisingly, “The Race for the Conch” is consistently listed as one of the top 100 open water swim races in the world by the World Open Water Swimming Association.
Stubenberg and Zimmermann take seriously the second part of the event name, “Eco-SeaSwim” by asking that all swimmers use reef-safe sunscreen devoid of harmful ingredients. To help ensure that request, organizers have partnered with one of the top reef-safe sunscreens in the world, Caribbean Sol, and made it available to all swimmers on the beach.
In addition, the organizers strive to use local services and products. These include conch medals for everyone carved by Stanford Handfield,
conch trophies created by Lucie Stubbs, T shirt designs by Alizee Zimmermann, T shirt printing by Wise Solutions, and Proud of My Island goodie bags created by Sammy Kildegaard and Emiliano Otin.
Stubenberg and Zimmermann praised the tremendous support of 20 volunteers on the beach and in the water. “They are the backbone of the event’s success,” they stated. “We could not do this without them or our generous sponsors and providers.” They include: Experience Turks & Caicos, Grace Bay Club, Ocean Club, Projetech, Whole Health, Atlantic Aviation, Hartling Group, Surfside Ocean Academy, Silver Palm Charters, Finishing Touch, Natural Trade Distribution, Visittci.com, Gabriel Kulcsar, Big Blue Collective, Got-U-Covered, Jafooe Computer, DJ Dayhoh, Caribbean Bottling Company, Caicu Naniki Tours, and Marco Travel.
The organizers also want to give a big shout out to the TCI Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources, TCI Marine Police, Provo Ambulance Service, TCI Red Cross, Big Blue Collective, and the TCI Regiment for their essential safety support.
The “Race for the Conch” is a registered TCI nonprofit. Proceeds from the race going to Provo Children’s Home, Red Cross, TC Reef Fund, and Project Inclusion Turks & Caicos.
The next “Race for the Conch” will take place on Saturday June 27, 2026.
More information about the race can be found on their website www.ecoseaswim.com
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