Cruise ship workers cleared of sex attack

Two cruise ship workers walked free from court on Monday after sexual assault charges against them were dropped.

The men, aged 26 and 27, were employees on board the ship where the sex attack was alleged to have taken place on January 12, this year.

The duo, who can not be named for legal reasons, were arrested and brought to Bermuda because the vessel is registered on the island.

They were charged in Magistrates’ Court on January 24 and later appeared at the March Arraignments Session where they denied the charges.

The two Europeans were due to stand trial this week but prosecutors decided not to proceed with the case because the alleged victim chose not to come to Bermuda to give evidence.

Lawyer, Marc Daniels, who represented both men, said: “We were prepared to fight this case to the very end, as we strongly believed in our clients’ defence.

“Trials are extremely difficult to win and never easy to predict and therefore, we are very pleased with the Crown’s decision to offer a Nolle.

“It has been a difficult journey for both of these young men, having been extradited from one jurisdiction to the next charged with one of the most serious allegations under our Criminal Code.”

He added: “It has been a long three months of worry and concern for these two and their families, but seeing the sheer relief on their faces on Monday, was the greatest joy I could ask for.” n