Judge warns suspect's girlfriend over surety

A Sandys man was allowed to remain on bail today after his lawyer explained to Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner that he had stayed out beyond his curfew because he fell asleep at the home of his ill father.

Prosecutor Garrett Byrne told Mr. Warner that on the evening of May 24, Police were notified via electronic monitoring that 29-year-old Trovaughn Smith had not returned to his home by 10pm per his bail conditions.

According to Police, he did not arrive at his home until 1.15am and they subsequently arrested Mr Smith.

Speaking on his client’s behalf, lawyer Justin Williams said Mr Smith went to visit his father, who recently returned to the Island after having major surgery at the Lahey Clinic. He said his client fell asleep at his father’s Smith’s Parish home and when he awoke he promptly left.

However, while Mr. Byrne agreed Mr Smith travelled from Smith’s Parish to his home, he said the GPS system on his monitoring bracelet did indicate that he stopped briefly at the Southampton Rangers Club.

Mr. Warner agreed to allow Mr Smith to remain on bail but not before giving the mother of Smith’s children, who serves as his surety a stern warning.

He told her: “If you don’t think you can handle being his surety than you should not have signed for him. You stand to lose all or a portion of $5,000.”

Holding back tears, she told Mr. Warner that she understood the seriousness of being a surety and that Smith breaking curfew would not happen again.