PM's former bodyguard freed of fraud charges

Former Police Corporal Randolph Mullings, who was one of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller's bodyguards, has been freed of fraud charges.

The charges had involved a motor car which was reported to have been stolen.

The Crown, represented by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jeremy Taylor, offered no evidence against Mullings and his aunt, Judith Fuller, when they appeared in the Yallahs Resident Magistrate's Court in St Thomas.

Mullings, who was represented by defence lawyer Valerie Neita-Robertson, was charged with fraudulent use of licence plates, forgery, and conspiracy to receive stolen property. He was also charged with receiving stolen property.

Mullings, who lived in St Thomas, was on his way to work on July 22, 2007, when he was stopped by the police.

The police informed him that the Toyota Corolla motor car he was driving was reported stolen.

He and his aunt were subsequently arrested and charged.

Mullings had reported to the police that he had given his aunt money to purchase the vehicle for him and do the necessary transfer because his duties kept him very busy.

OTHERS STILL FACING CHARGES

Several other people were charged arising from the incident and their cases remain before the court.

Mullings, who joined the police force in 1999, was dismissed in May 2010 while the charges were pending.

Neita-Robertson, who represented Mullings at the hearing before the commissioner of police, said the basis for his dismissal was because of the charges against him.

Neita-Robertson disclosed that despite Mullings' unblemished years of service, which she had outlined at the hearing, he was still dismissed.

barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com