Cedric Simms GUILTY OF ARSON, Sentencing next month

Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

#TurksandCaicos, January 20, 2024 – Magnetic media was contacted by a number of Grand Turk residents when they learned the news early in the new year that his Lordship The Hon Mr. Justice Davidson Kevin Baptiste found one of the most notorious menaces, an accused arsonist who is now convicted in a court of law.

CEDRIC SIMMS is guilty of setting fire to a dwelling home while his estranged wife and her sister was inside.  Simms’ wife had moved out and was residing with her sister.

The now convicted fire-starter tried with no success to rekindle their relationship, but his efforts were futile. Circumstances leading the fire are that on his birthday “after begging his wife to come back home for his birthday, on the 12^th or 13^th of November in 2022, Cedric Simms threatened to “set the place on fire.

Simms was arrested for allegedly doing just that.

We can say, the learned judge did bemoan the fact there was no direct evidence presented by the Crown that Simms did set the home ablaze, however, the Supreme Court judge, in the judge-only trial came to a close on the matter after three weeks, which included the Christmas break

In December, the judge adjourned his decision until Tuesday January 9, 2024, and it was then, that Justice Baptiste brought back a guilty verdict for SIMMS.

Simms will return to court in February to hear what his sentence will be for the very serious crime that carries a maximum term of life imprisonment.

Sophia Sandy-Smith worked the case for Office of the DPP and Lara Maroof Misick was attorney for Cedric Simms.