WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – Thomas Martin, the operations manager for the famous Rick’s Café in Negril, Westmoreland who was charged with breaching the Government’s COVID-19 regulations in May of last year, was set free on Friday.

This after a no-case submission was presented by his attorney Peter Champagne when he appeared in the Westmoreland Parish Court.

The no-case submission was made following the testimony of four witnesses on Friday. One witness, an Inspector of Police, testified live while the other three were statements which were agreed to be tendered into evidence.

It was revealed in court by the prosecution’s first witness that Martin was not at the location at the time of the incident in which the popular entertainment and eatery spot was accused of breaching the COVID-19 regulations while hosting the popular Mocha Fest party on May 27, 2021.

READ: Organisers blame Rick’s Café

The other witnesses did not add or subtract from the position of the first witness, who was the inspector of police.

Champagne told OBSERVER ONLINE that as a consequence, “I made a no-case submission to the court that in light of that evidence. Mr Martin would not have any guilty knowledge of any breach occurring on the 27th of May 2021.”

Champagne also pointed out that there were some irregularities with the procedure in terms of how his client was charged.

“I made the comment that it was clear that there was an indecent case to prosecute someone and put someone before the court without having regard to proper procedural applications in the matter,” stated Champagne.

“Having highlighted those issues, the Judge upheld the submission and he was freed.

OBSERVER ONLINE tried unsuccessfully to get a comment from Martin. However, Champagne said his client has expressed joy at being vindicated.

“He expressed to me his joy at the results and he felt vindicated and is appreciative of how the case was presented,” related Champagne, who said his client has reaffirmed his commitment to Rick’s Café and its well-known brand locally and internationally and will be moving on.

In October, Martin had told the Jamaica Observer that he is encouraging Jamaicans to unite with the Government in the fight against the pandemic and get vaccinated.

“In this pandemic time, we have to stop fussing and fighting with each other. We have to support our Government which is working hard to solve this pandemic problem. We have to work with the opposition party who is every day concerned about where we are going and how we are going to get better at fighting the pandemic. Let us stop throwing each other under the bus. Let us come together as a country and solve this problem,” stated Martin, adding “roll up your sleeves and work but also roll up your sleeves and get vaccinated.”

READ: Join COVID fight, says Rick’s exec

“COVID is not going anywhere. We have to fight COVID. The vaccine is all we know right now and that is what we have to go with,” Martin emphasised.

Following the incident last year, Martin and a colleague of his – Conroy Barrett, who is the financial controller – were also charged by the police with breaches of the Spirit Licence Act and Place of Amusement Licence. However, Barrett was found not guilty on August 9, 2021.

READ: One of two Rick’s Café Negril executives found not guilty in Mocha Fest case

The breach had led to the closure of the property for over a week by order of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.

READ: Rick’s Café ordered closed for 7 days after Mocha Fest

However, Rick’s Café which is located on Negril’s famous West End Road reopened for business on June 8.

READ: Rick’s Café back in business

With the lifting of the DRMA, Mocha Fest was again held last month.

– Anthony Lewis