Policewoman convicted of harbouring fugitive sentenced to two-and-a-half years
ST JAMES, Jamaica — The former St James Police Constable who was found guilty of harbouring a fugitive in 2014 has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison.
The sentencing of Kaye Falconer was handed down late yesterday in the St James Parish Court by Judge Natalie Hart-Hines.
Judge Hart-Hines also recommended that Falconer be seen by a psychologist and her medical condition be monitored.
It was disclosed yesterday in court that Falconer suffers from clinical depression and hypertension.
However, despite her condition, Judge Hart-Hines pointed out in her judgment that she had taken a number of things into consideration.
She pointed out that despite taking into consideration the cop’s age, gender, likeliness of her repeating the offence and her medical condition, she had not seen any evidence of remorse from the accused. She also pointed out that the public’s interest in terms of perception of justice and the police must be taken into consideration.
Judge Hart-Hines in her sentencing stated, “I am not going to impose the maximum of three years.”
During the sitting, it was pointed out in a report presented to the court that Falconer went through ordeals as a child. It was also disclosed that that her husband passed away in 2012 from cancer. In 2013, she lost her son, and in 2016, she lost her mother.
Her attorney, Adrian Dayes, pointed out that these series of incidents could have contributed to her deteriorating condition since 2013.
He asked that she be given a non-custodial sentencing.
A sister of the accused, who gave character evidence, also pleaded with the judge to have mercy on the accused.
“She got worse since she was found guilty. I don’t think she can manage incarceration. I think she will go into greater depression and pass (die),” said the teary-eyed sister.
The accused, who was dressed in a purple dress, did not shed tears.
The police reportedly found an escaped prisoner, who they described as dangerous, at Falconer’s Glendevon home in February of 2013.
Other police personnel were also charged in connection with the January 30, 2013 escape of the prisoner from the Freeport Police Station in St James, under what is being considered questionable circumstances.
