Harold Crooks found guilty of indecent assault

Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

Harold Crooks, former Commandant of the Island Special Constabulary Force has been found guilty of indecent assault.

He was convicted in the St. Catherine Circuit Court after a jury retired for over an hour.

Crooks was freed of the charge of carnal abuse, however, he was convicted on two counts of indecent assault.

During the summation, Justice Bertram Morrison had told the jury that the benefit of any doubt should be given to the accused.

During the trial which lasted for over one week, Crooks said the complainant was over 16 years old when he had sex with her.

The Crown, represented by Tracy-Ann Johnson, assistant director of public prosecutions led evidence that in 2010, Crooks sexually assaulted the complainant while she was under the age of consent.

The judge extended his bail for him to return on July 20 for sentencing.

He is being represented by attorney-at-law Barry Frankson.

Crooks fled the island after a report was made to the police.

Months later, he was held in St. Ann at the Ocho Rios Pier on a ship.

radio@gleanerjm.com