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Family court halts rape charges |
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Sunday, 14 September 2008 |
KINGSTOWN - Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has again been vindicated against rape allegations, this time from a Family Court, with a magistrate describing the charges as "unjust harassment" of the Vincentian leader.
The President of the Family Court, Magistrate Colleen McDonald, Wednesday dismissed the matter brought by a police officer who claimed that Gonsalves sexually assaulted and raped her while she was on duty at his official residence on January 3.
Magistrate McDonald refused to issue a summons to Gonsalves, noting that past efforts by the policewoman to have the prime minister prosecuted had failed.
In her four-page judgment, Magistrate McDonald pointed to the fact that the Director of Public Prosecutions Colin Williams had discontinued earlier charges and attempts to have his decision reviewed have since failed.
Referring to the March 11 ruling, she said that "a comprehensive 23-page judgment found that there were no arguable grounds for judicial review having a realistic prospect of success."
"The Court of Appeal was of the view that there was no merit in the applicant's claims, that the substantial appeal had no real prospect of success and, accordingly, leave was refused," Magistrate Mc Donald further stated.
"I am of the view that the application for the issue of the summons is frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of the process of the court. It clearly represents a collateral attack on the previous decisions of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the High Court and the Court of Appeal."
Prime Minister Gonsalves has categorically denied raping the police officer, 36, and described the allegation as an attempt by his political adversaries to damage him politically and discredit him in the eyes of citizens.
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