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After a wait of five months, 18-year-old Kevin Simon,Dele Alli Jersey UK, who was charged for waving his middle finger at the convoy of former President Bharrat Jagdeo, had his matter dismissed by Sparendaam Magistrate, Alex Moore.Simon, who had spent two weeks on remand for the alleged act, appeared relieved as he walked out of the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court yesterday.Kevin SimonIt was the final episode of a matter that had incensed a wide cross-section of the society.In fact, several leading personalities had turned up at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court in solidarity with the 18-year-old accused.Simon of South Ruimveldt allegedly made the obscene gesture while travelling on the main East Coast Highway on August 8th last year.He was initially charged with breaching the peace under one section of the law and appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman the following day and pleaded not guilty.He was remanded to prison for one week but on his return to court on August 16th, he was sent back to the Camp Street Prison for another week.On those occasions, Simon was unrepresented by counsel.His family then secured the services of prominent defense attorney, Nigel Hughes, who subsequently applied to the High Court and secured bail in the sum of $5,000 on August 30th.He has been attending court since then and during the hearing, the Prosecution had on one occasion informed the court that they were withdrawing the charge against the young man, with a view to reinstitution under another section of the law.The Prosecution is contending that the young man stuck out his middle finger at the President, which they claimed amounted to a criminal act.The young man, a porter on a water delivery truck, had on the other hand contended that he was merely hanging his hand against the breeze when he was accused of the act. |
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