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A sitting Senior Magistrate openly chastised former Commissioner of Police Chester Williams in court this morning after Williams failed to appear for the trial of a cyberbullying case he had brought against Police Officer Barry Flowers-Mai. The matter, which was called up in the lower court earlier today before Senior Magistrate Neeshad Mohammed, was ultimately dismissed after the virtual complainant, former ComPol Chester Williams, failed to show up for proceedings. The case had been set for trial today. Before dismissing the charge, Magistrate Mohammed criticized Williams for what he described as a lack of respect for the court, particularly given Williams’ former position as head of the Belize Police Department. According to reports from inside the courtroom, the magistrate stated, quote, “This is a disrespect to the court.” He reportedly went on to say that if anyone should understand the importance of respecting court procedures, it should be a former Commissioner of Police. Magistrate Mohammed also noted that the court would not be used as grounds for any personal vendetta, describing the matter as serious and emphasizing the integrity of the judicial process. The cyberbullying complaint stemmed from allegations that Flowers-Mai had targeted Williams through social media posts. However, with Williams absent from court this morning, the matter was struck out, allowing Flowers-Mai to walk free. As he exited the courtroom today, Flowers-Mai spoke briefly to reporters about the dismissal of the case.
Today’s dismissal marks yet another cyberbullying matter involving the former police commissioner that has failed to proceed in court. In the last case involving Nichole McDonald, Williams failed to show up in court. The case was dismissed last week, but Williams later applied for the charges to reinstated against McDonald. The matter has returned to being a live matter in the magistrate’s court.
English (US) ·