Wednesday, October 21 2009

Sources have revealed that the private criminal complaint against Prime Minister Patrick Manning, is scheduled to be recalled again in the Port-of-Spain Second Magistrate’s Court, early November.

The complaint was first raised by 36-year-old Natasha Cumberbatch, of Field Trace, Quarry Road, San Juan. It is alleged that on May 21 last, in Port-of-Spain, Manning used annoying language to her “with intent to provoke the complainant (Cumberbatch) to commit a breach of peace, contrary to Section 49 Chapter 11:02 of the Summary Offences Act”.

The matter was originally called before Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls in the Eight Magistrate’s Court on October 14 last. On that day a “scheduling mix up” resulted in the dismissal of the complaint when Cumberbatch failed to appear before the court when the case was called.

However, immediately following the event, Cumberbatch visited the office of a Justice of the Peace at the court, to re-lay the charges. As she was leaving the court, Cumberbatch said she was successful in re-laying the charge, and she expected the matter to be recalled in the near future.