Nothing mysterious about charges against ‘Dougie’ – DPP

There is nothing mysterious about the charge brought against proprietor of Nice Radio (96.7 FM) Douglas ‘Dougie’ DeFreitas, in relation to comments he made on radio last December, almost seven months ago, according to Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Collin Williams.

Williams explained that the delay in charging DeFreitas is as a result of a number of factors,{{more}} including a request from DeFreitas’ lawyer that the DPP not charge the businessman and political activist immediately.

Williams said following DeFreitas’ comments on radio on December 10, he instructed police to investigate the matter and following their investigations, they indicated that they were ready to proceed.

However, when the police were ready to charge DeFreitas, the Kingstown Magisterial District lost the services of magistrate Carla James, who left that position to take up the leadership of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

“…there was no magistrate for several months and as soon as a magistrate was back in Kingstown, the summonses were signed,” explained Williams, who noted that he, DeFreitas, received a summons to appear in court and was not picked up and charged by the police, as is usually done in these cases.

Explaining further, Williams said he proceeded with the matter by way of summonses, because DeFreitas’ lawyer had “begged” him earlier this year not to pick DeFreitas up on his return to the country, because there were concerns about DeFreitas’ health and the fact that he was travelling with his children.

“I gave my word that he would not be arrested. We delayed on the request of his lawyer. We said that we would not go by warrant, we would proceed by summons,” revealed Williams, who noted that DeFreitas left the country the day after the statements were made on radio.

“…so, I said there was no problem (to wait to charge him),” said Williams, who stressed that there should be no mystery as to why the charge came as late as it did.

DeFreitas has been charged with making a false statement which was likely to cause fear or alarm or to disturb the public peace.

The DPP stated that there is no specific time to charge someone with a criminal offence and that a person can be prosecuted today, for an offence committed 10 years ago.

Williams said that it is only if an offence is summary and carries a financial penalty or a term of imprisonment of less than six months that a charge has to be brought within a calendar year.

DeFreitas is expected to appear in court today Tuesday, June 20, to answer the charges.(LC)