A 64-year-old man will find out tomorrow if he would be extradited to Canada to face their judicial system.
Errol Vivian Jones, of Bridgefield, St Thomas will have to wait for Acting Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes to make a decision tomorrow in the District “D” Magistrates’ Court, when the matter comes up for hearing.
Yesterday, Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Anthony Blackman made a request for the extradition process on behalf of the Canadian authorities, before Magistrate Douglas Frederick in the District “A” Magistrates’ Court.
Blackman, who appeared on behalf of the Crown, told Magistrate Frederick that Jones had been living in Canada when he was convicted of two drug-related offences on November 11, 1993 and August 31, 1994.
He was sentenced to six years, four months and seven days or 2 319 days in jail. However, after only spending just over half the required time behind bars, or 1 430 days, Jones was released on full parole.
One of his conditions was that he report to his probation officer. When Jones failed to check in on October 10, 1997, warrants were issued for his arrest by the Canadian Correctional Services to serve the remaining 889 days left on his sentence.
Blackman submitted Jones was able to evade law enforcement and eventually return to Barbados.
However, Jones told the court he was deported, and questioned how a warrant of arrest could be issued for him when at the same time he was in the custody of Immigration officers and being escorted from the country.
Magistrate Frederick released the man on $15 000 bail, before transferring the matter to the St Thomas Magistrates’ Court. (RA)
