WESTERN BUREAU:

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn says she elected to discontinue criminal proceedings against fake cop Courtney Grayson - who was charged with impersonating a police officer and illegal possession of property - in the interest of justice.

The DPP entered a plea of unconditional nolle prosequi when Grayson appeared in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday. According to the DPP, she has been in dialogue with the police on all aspects of the matter and, in light of certain information, she took the decision.

In the case of a nolle prosequi, the Crown is empowered to discontinue a case that may later be brought back to court.

interest of justice

The news has come as a shock to the Montego Bay community, particularly the legal fraternity. Grayson's lawyer, George Clue, was tight-lipped.

"When he turned up at court he was told that at this stage the matter was withdrawn in the interest of justice, and that is all I can say for now," was the response of the attorney, who came all the way from May Pen, Clarendon, to represent the 24-year-old defendant.

In the meantime, the police anti-corruption unit, headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Justin Felice, is still carrying out investigations into the case.

"Investigations are continuing in relation to his interaction with other officers," Felice told The Gleaner.

Grayson made the spotlight weeks ago when this newspaper learnt that he reportedly carried an M16, wore a police badge, ID and denim uniform, while patrolling the streets of Montego Bay for six months, before members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force realised he was not one of their own.

For 182 days, the fake cop who resided in Hendon/Norwood in St James, worked as a policeman at the Mt Salem Police Station in Montego Bay, before he was arrested.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com