Keith Ferrier, one of the accused in the 2009 arson of the Ministry of Health building who was recently recaptured, was yesterday once again granted his release on $350,000 bail.
Ferrier was charged with unlawfully and maliciously setting fire to the Ministry of Health building and had fled the jurisdiction after being granted his release on $350,000 bail in July, 2009. He was only recaptured last month at a business establishment at North Road, Bourda.
At the last hearing, Ferrier’s attorney had renewed an application for bail and the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan requested that the prosecution seek advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in relation to the matter.
At yesterday’s hearing, Prosecutor Neville Jeffers requested that the Administration of Justice Act be applied for the matter to be tried summarily. The charge was then read once again to the defendant, who then pleaded not guilty.
Another request was then made by attorney Patrice Henry, who represented the defendant, for bail to be granted.
The prosecution made no objection to this request and the Chief Magistrate subsequently restored the $350,000 bail that was initially granted to Ferrier by the High Court.
Ferrier was also ordered by the Chief Magistrate to report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Friday morning at 9am every fortnight and to lodge his passport. He is prohibited from leaving the jurisdiction without permission.
The matter will be called again on April 25th.
Two other persons were also charged with the arson—Clayton Westford and Tedena Bagot.
During the wee hours of July 17th, 2009 a huge fire, reportedly sparked by channa bombs, destroyed the Ministry of Health’s main building and an annex at Brickdam.
