Judge Persad’s stint comes to end

As the curtains came down on the High Court’s Criminal Assizes on Monday, it also marked the end of judge Rajiv Persad’s stint here as acting High Court judge.{{more}}

Persad, a Trinidadian, presided over the criminal assizes from May 9 to July 31, in the absence of resident High Court judge Frederick Bruce-Lyle, who is on vacation.

In his final speech, Persad said it has been a pleasure to have sat in this jurisdiction and noted that he has not been disappointed in any way.

“This was really a team effort and everyone did their part. I am most grateful and I had a most wonderful time interacting with you all,” he said.

Persad thanked the police officers, jurors and court staff for their hard work during the assizes.

Chief prison officer Brenton Charles, in reading out the prison count at the end of the assizes, indicated that the figure now stands at 412.

There are currently 230 inmates housed at the Belle Isle Correctional Facility, 176 at Her Majesty’s Prison, Kingstown and six females at Fort Charlotte.

Of the figure, there are 34 non-national inmates — 28 serving sentences and six on remand. Patrick Lovelace remains the only inmate on death row.

Members of the Bar also shared brief remarks at the closing of the assizes and thanked Persad for his time here.(KW)