Detective and son at centre of corruption charges granted bail
March 26, 2008
DETECTIVE Sergeant Noel Morgan and his son Marlando Morgan, who were both recently arrested and charged with breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act after allegedly colluding to collect monies from a St Ann businessman to have criminal charges against the businessman dropped, were both granted $350,000 bail when they appeared in the St Ann's Bay Resident Magistrate's Court last Thursday.
Morgan, who is assigned to the Ocho Rios Police Station, and his son, who is allegedly a schoolteacher, were both also ordered to surrender their travel documents to the police and to report to the Port Maria Police Station twice per week.
In making an application for bail on Morgan's behalf, attorney-at-law Christopher Townsend told the court that his client had served the Ocho Rios community and its environs for over 20 years, and deserved the opportunity to clear his name.
Glen Cruickshank, who represents the younger Morgan, told the court that the prosecution had no case against his client as he had only been shown to have collected money on behalf of his father, an act which, Cruickshank argued could signify many different things.
It is alleged that after police raided a place of business in St Ann earlier this month, where they seized several vehicles, equipment and car parts, Morgan solicited money from the owner of the business to have the parts returned.
However, the businessman, it is further alleged, contacted the police Anti-Corruption Unit and a sting operation was set up to catch Morgan.
Father and son were arrested after the son allegedly went to collect the money and was held by the police with marked bills.
Both men are scheduled to return to court on April 18.
Author: Observer Reporter
Source: Jamaica Observer
