MONTEGO BAY, St James — A court appearance in St James on Wednesday placed 47-year-old Edgar Noble in the spotlight as he faced serious charges of harbouring a fugitive.

Noble appeared before Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton at the parish court after police discovered him in the company of 25-year-old Brittany Hall, who is wanted for murder by the St Andrew South Police Division.

Under Jamaican law, it is a criminal offence to knowingly harbour or conceal a person who the police are actively seeking for arrest or against whom a warrant has been issued. Anyone found guilty of this offence may face imprisonment.

Court records indicate that the incident occurred about 4:00 am on January 14 when police, acting on specific information, visited Noble’s residence in Estuary, St James. During the operation Hall — wanted in connection with a murder investigation — was found in his company, prompting the charges against Noble.

During Wednesday’s hearing the court clerk informed the judge that the statement from the corroborating officer is still outstanding. This is a crucial document which supports the prosecution’s case, therefore further procedural steps are necessary before the matter can proceed.

Judge Fairclough-Hylton considered the circumstances carefully before granting Noble bail. He was released on a sum of $500,000, with up to three sureties. Conditions attached to his bail include reporting to a designated police station on specific days, and ensuring ongoing monitoring of his movements while the case advances through the court system.

The matter has been scheduled for case management on February 25, allowing the court to determine the next steps and ensure that both prosecution and defence are prepared for subsequent hearings.