'Livity' denied bail

Leighton 'Livity' Coke, brother of ousted Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, was yesterday denied bail when he appeared in the Gun Court.

The prosecution opposed bail on the grounds that things were now under control in west Kingston and fear was being expressed that, if Coke got bail, there could be an escalation of crime in the area.

Defence lawyers George Soutar and Peter Champagnie, in applying for bail, said Livity was not a flight risk. They pointed out that it was Coke who turned himself in to the police and an informal identifi-cation parade was held.

The lawyers, in indicating that the identification parade was flawed, said when Coke turned himself in he was made a literal spectacle because a number of police officers came to look at him.

Supreme Court judge Paulette Williams turned down the bail application. Coke is to return to court on October 7 for case management conference.

The prosecution said yesterday that the case was ready and it was expected that a trial date would be set when he returns to court.

Coke is facing charges of shooting with intent and illegal possession of a firearm.

It is alleged that Livity fired shots at the police in May, during the unrest in west Kingston when his brother was being sought by the police in connection with a warrant for his extradition.