Court dismisses cop's corruption appeal

Barbara Gayle, Justice Coordinator

The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal of police constable Everton Goulbourne who was convicted by Resident Magistrate Sharon Barnes last year for breaching the Corruption Prevention Act.

Goulbourne was convicted along with police constable Elorda Smith for soliciting $50,000 from a motorist whose bus they had seized in 2007.

Goulbourne was fined $250,000 or six months imprisonment while Smith was fined $200,000 or six months imprisonment.

Some 11 grounds of appeal were filed and argued on Goulbourne's behalf by Attorney-at-law Deborah Martin.

But in dismissing Goulbourne's appeal, the court said he failed to substantiate the challenges made to the learned Resident Magistrate’s reasoning and findings of fact.

barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com