Andrews’ Tourist Board case pushed to March 2024

By Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Reporter

#TurksandCaicos, July 3, 2023 – In the Supreme Court on Thursday 29th June, 2023, Magnetic Media, was in court when the near four year old case against former tourism boss, RAMON ANDREWS, was called for pre-trial review (PTR).

Normally when a matter is listed or set for PTR it means the actual trial dates are near and the commencement of the trial is soon to begin. In this case, the trial dates were fixed for commencement on July 17th, 2023 to run for 10 working days or approximately two weeks.

At the PTR hearing, the Crown led by principal public prosecutor, Clement Joseph, expressed its readiness to proceed but counsel for the accused Oliver Smith, KC indicated to the court he would prefer the trial’s commencement date to be vacated as there are a few pre-trial issues he wants to raise with the Court and he has already discussed some with his colleague, Mr. Joseph.

A very brief and quick discussion ensued between Counsels from both sides and the Court as to amendments ( if prosecution agrees) of the indictment/information, certain further disclosure requests ie trial bundle, filing of possibly new defense statement and other small matters of concern or request.

The learned Justice, Chris Selochan was concerned about the age of this case and expressed he is ready to get it going but hearing counsel Smith KC there has to be a new trial date.

The case was then fixed for a new commencement trial date of March 11, 2024 in the Providenciales Supreme Court. This case will then be four and half years old pending.

Mr. Smith KC told the Judge that he’s part of the cause of the delay in these proceedings as he had filed certain application to have the matter totally thrown out but that attempt failed. That application lasted for some time he said.

Mr. Smith, KC was referring his Lordship to his application on behalf of his client before former Justice of the TCI Supreme Court Mr. Shiraz Aziz. The ruling to proceed to trial was handed down on October 14th, 2022.

RAMOM ANDREWS was arrested around 16th September 2019, arraigned before the Magistrate’s Court on Monday 23rd September 2019 and entered pleas of not guilty in the Supreme Court in November, 2019 to all charges connected to his tenure at the Tourist Board.

Andrews was not required to be present at the PTR hearing on Thursday but was directed through his attorney to appear on October 10th to plea to possibly new or amended information/charges.