Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:

A Special constable who is accused of collecting $20,000 from a motorist instead of prosecuting for a traffic violation, was yesterday granted bail in his own surety when he appeared in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court.

Detectives from the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), told the court that on September 5, 2007, Special Constable Uriel Harvey was on duty in Spanish Town, when he stopped a motorist and warned him of traffic violations. He seized the vehicle, and when he reached the Spanish Town Police Station he asked to be paid the money for the vehicle not to be taken by the police.

DPP ruling

According to the OPR detectives, the motorist spoke to Harvey's commanding officer who contacted the OPR. A file was put together and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions who ruled that Harvey be charged.

Attorneys-at-law Sean King-Horn and Earl Hamilton, who are representing Harvey, told the court that there was the question of confrontation in the Crown's case and as such, its case was very weak. Following this, Resident Magistrate Lorna Errar-Gayle granted Harvey bail in the sum $10,000 in his own surety. He is to return to court on February 13.