WESTERN BUREAU:

A no order was made in the case against a man who allegedly broke into a woman's room at a hotel. The order was made because the complainant left the island without giving any indication of her return for the court hearing.

When Dwight Downes appeared before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate Court on Monday, he was told he was free to go after the investigating officer informed the court that the complainant had departed and could not say if she would return.

housebreaking

Downes, who resides at Catherine Hall in St James, was charged with housebreaking with intent after the complainant allegedly caught him in her hotel room. However, he insisted he was not guilty of the offence and was out on $40,000 bail.

Allegations are the complainant was heading to her room on the afternoon of August 8 when she heard noise. When she entered she allegedly saw the accused. It is alleged that the two were frightened to see each other and Downes ran into a closet while the complainant ran out of the room.

She reported what she saw to a member of the housekeeping staff and Downes was subsequently confronted. He was handed over to the police after he failed to respond to questions as to his presence in the guest's room when he should have been working in the commissary.

- Tashieka Mair