A policeman has expressed concern that witnesses are being threatened or forced not to testify in criminal cases.

According to the policeman, witnesses fear for their lives and, as a result, they go into hiding or from their addresses. "One of the methods used these days to threaten witnesses by phone calls," he explained.

"I know of a particular case in which a witness was threatened many times during a particular day. The witness became afraid and went to live with relatives outside Kingston.

"Sometimes it does not make sense to trace calls because culprits usually use stolen phones to make the calls.

no connection

"This is one of the reasons people are robbed of their mobile phones. When checks are made, it is discovered that the phone involve, was reported stolen, and it is clear that the real owner of the phone would not have threatened the witness, or has no connection to the witness.

" Many of the cases of threats go unsolved because witnesses are afraid to make reports because they feel if they report a particular person, their friends, or cronies could harm them or their relatives," he said.

The policeman said he was concerned about the threats against witnesses and says he wants persons who threaten witnesses to know, "once they are caught, they will be charged and, if convicted, will be sent to prison".

special appeal

He said he was making a special appeal to witnesses who are threatened not to run away, but to report the matter to the police so that steps can be taken to protect them.

"If the criminals believe they can threaten people to stop them from coming to court, they will continue to commit crimes, and Jamaica will not be a safe place to live. Citizens must stand up and fight against these criminals so they can be put behind bars," he added.

Persons who threaten witnesses, if the cases are reported, and they are caught, they will be charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

However, persons must also remember the law makes provision for the statements of witnesses who are absent, for various reasons, to be tendered in evidence during trials.

The Evidence Act was amended in 1995 to make statements admissible in evidence in cases where a witness is dead, has left the island, cannot be found, after all reasonable steps have been taken to find the witness, or is kept away from the proceedings because of threats of bodily harm.