KING’S Counsel Peter Champagnie on Wednesday described as false the claims that the 19-year-old female student of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) who was allegedly tortured by her ex-boyfriend Matthew Hyde on campus, has intentions of ditching the case.

Hyde, who is 20 years old, was charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, false imprisonment, use of malicious communication, and assault occasioning bodily harm.

In public circles it has been widely speculated that the victim had indicated a change of heart.

However, Champagnie, who is representing Hyde, told the Jamaica Observer that he had received no formal indication of such and said it was merely gossip.

“Certainly that has not been indicated to me in any formal process. This is just a vicious rumour that is circulating without any foundation whatsoever. If that were so I would have been served with a further statement from her. There is absolutely no merit to it and it is without foundation,” Champagnie said.

On February 16, when Hyde made his first appearance in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, Champagnie argued for more time to peruse statements in the matter.

Hyde was ordered to return to court on March 9, at which time Champagnie will apply for bail.

The allegations are that Hyde held his ex-girlfriend captive for at least three days in his room at the George Alleyne Hall at The UWI. While he kept her there it is also alleged that, among other things, he tortured her by using a hot iron to burn her all over her body. She was finally set free on February 9.

— Jason Cross