PARISH Court Judge Vaughn Smith yesterday advised that Sharen Reid, wife of embattled former Education Minister Ruel Reid, take leave from her post as legal affairs manager at the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU), given charges laid before her in a matter now before the courts.

Smith made the observation during a preliminary hearing at the Corporate Area Parish Court in St Andrew, where attorney Carolyn Chuck made bail applications for Reid, her husband and their daughter Sharelle.

“She’s not on leave? I am having a difficulty with Mrs Reid being at the CMU with the matter before the court — it’s strange that she hasn’t been sent on leave,” Smith noted.

Senior Clerk of Court Hansurd Lawson, interjecting, said: “The prosecution is concerned that the investigation is ongoing and she might interfere.”

Chuck, however, countered that the “investigation has been ongoing for several months, Mrs Reid has remained, and it has not been an issue”.

“The circumstances have changed, she has been charged,” Smith pointed out, adding, “It may be best she take some leave just so we have transparency; play it safe.”

The matter is to be mentioned again on January 23, and the prosecution is to submit a disclosure report by October 31st this year.

Bail for the 49-year-old Reid, who is also a paralegal, was yesterday set at $1 million with surety. She was charged with possession of criminal property and conspiracy to defraud.

Reid, along with her husband and 24-year-old daughter, are to report to Matilda’s Corner Police Station in St Andrew every Wednesday and Saturday, between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm. They were also ordered to surrender their travel documents and a stop order is to be put in place at ports. Also, she is not to be seen at the CMU.

— Alicia Dunkley-Willis