KINGSTON, Jamaica – A total of 370 murder cases are among 686 criminal matters to be heard during the Easter Term sitting of the Home Circuit Court in Kingston, which runs from April to July.

However, of the overall cases to be heard, 652 of the matters were transferred from the previous Hilary Term, which ended in early April.

According to statistics provided by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, murder accounts for the bulk of the matters set for this term, followed by the 224 sexual offences matters to be heard.

Of that number, rape cases are the highest number of sex offences to be heard, with 112 such cases.

This is followed by 50 cases of sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 16. Other sex cases on the list to be heard include 30 cases of buggery, 11 cases of forcible abduction, nine cases of grievous sex assault, and four cases of sexual touching.

Also on the list of criminal cases to be heard are 13 cases involving assets recovery, 11 cases of wounding with intent, six cases of causing death by dangerous driving and two matters involving participation in a criminal organisation.

Meanwhile, the DPP’s office said one new case was committed for the opening of the Easter Term, while 27 cases are set for sentencing during the period.