Sheldon Cannonier denied bail
Judge says he breached bail conditions previously

By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

Sheldon Cannonier a.k.a. Sword

Cannonier is currently on remand at Her Majesty’s Prison on a gun-related charge and was recently freed of another charge. The 27-year-old was on remand for some 18 months on the charge of which he was freed. It is on that and other underlying facts that Cannonier verbally made an application for bail.

Cannonier’s defence counsel, John Cato, in his plea before the court, said the young man is a roofer who has always been gainfully employed and who views family as of utmost importance.  According to Cato, he is the father of a six-year-old whom he loves and adores.

Notwithstanding that he [Cannonier] has been brought before the court on a number of occasions, Cato said it is on the pure principles of justice that he believes the application would be given the highest consideration.

Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Paulina Hendrickson objected to Cannonier being granted bail on the grounds that the accused, in the past, had appeared many times before the court on charges similar to the current one. She also objected on the grounds that the set trial date for the matter is only a couple of weeks away.

In response, Cato told the court that Cannonier does not have a “serious record” and the “presumption of innocence should be in his favour”.

Justice Belle denied bail on the grounds that Cannonier has, in the past, breached the conditions of bail of the Basseterre High Court of Justice and that he has appeared before that court “a bit too often”. He said the court has to “be careful” with Cannonier as the offences for which he has been brought before the court are “very serious” and he is now alleged to have injured an officer of the law.

Cannonier was taken back to Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) where he will remain until February 11, 2009, the date set for his hearing. ~~Adz:Right~~