NEWS BRIEF…..NEWS BRIEF…..NEWS BRIEF…..
Berbick freed of larceny, housebreaking charges
FORMER World Heavyweight boxing champion, Trevor Berbick, yesterday walked from the Port Antonio Resident Magistrate’s Court after he was freed of larceny and housebreaking charges.
The ex-boxer, who was deported from the US late last year, was accused of breaking into his common-law wife’s sister’s home and stealing electronic equipment, farming tools and clothing. The value of the items was placed at $30,000 and Berbick’s attorney, Heron Dale, told the court yesterday that his client’s brother had indicated a willingness to pay for the items.
The complainant, Gwendolyn Fisher, indicated that she did not wish to pursue the matter and the case was dismissed.
Bartley Building clean-up completed
THE final phase of a massive clean-up operation, in which thousands of tonnes of garbage were removed from several central Kingston communities, has finally been completed according to the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).
According to a release issued by that agency yesterday, more than 170 truck loads of domestic and bulk waste, including derelict vehicles, were removed from the Bartley Building, sections of Kingston Gardens, Parade Gardens and from open areas and derelict lots along Hanover, Laws, Barry and Harbour streets in the capital.
This phase of the clean-up programme, which cost more than $1.2 million and lasted four days, was undertaken by the NSWMA after central Kingston member of parliament Victor Cummings attempted unsuccessfully to clear the Bartley Building at 28 East Queen Street of gargantuan amounts of debris and human excrement that had been deposited there over a number of years.
Golding raps Gov’t
OPPOSITION spokesman on foreign trade, Bruce Golding, yesterday rapped the Government for failing to enter into consultation with the tax committee before the bulk of new taxes come into effect on May 1.
“What is the point of passing the budget, which is predicated on a particular level of acceptance that you are going to then examine a bill before Parliament? It makes absolutely no sense,” Golding told a Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) Job Creation Ceremony at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston. “Up to last night (Monday) no indication was given to us as to when that taxation committee was going to meet.”
House Leader Peter Phillips told Parliament yesterday that the committee is scheduled to meet on May 6.
The tax committee is spearheaded by opposition spokesman on National Security, Derrick Smith, and leader of the opposition, Edward Seaga.