The trial of seven men accused of a weapon-wielding group attack was delayed for an hour this morning amid security concerns.

The defence lawyers in the case expressed fears because there was zero Police presence at Supreme Court One.

The men on trial, who are all from St. George’s, are Detroy Smith, 24, Kyle Tannock Williams, 28, Damon Darrell, 28, Bennett Phipps, 26, Allan Douglas, 22, Kiawan Trott, 25, and Kiwaun Gilbert, 23.

They are accused of being part of a 50-strong group armed with weapons who descended on victim Temasgan Furbert’s Hamilton Parish house on the night of February 27 last year and attacked him and damaged the family home.

Defence lawyer Victoria Pearman, who represents Smith, said she did not wish to disrespect the judge however she refused to begin the day’s proceedings until she felt safe.

“I’m not trying to waste time with this but it’s serious. Ultimately I have responsibility for the safety of myself and my client,” she said.

“I need to be able to feel safe in this court and I don’t feel safe in this court.”

Another lawyer, Elizabeth Christopher, who represents Tannock Williams, said she had “very, very specific concerns with respect to safety” which she did not wish to elaborate on in open court.

Prosecutor Robert Welling said Police were supposed to be doing a risk assessment and suggested it was not sensible to continue the trial until the court was satisfied that had been done.

There had been Police positioned on each door into the building yesterday when the trial began. Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves said he did not know why they were not back today and neither he nor the Supreme Court Registrar had been able to communicate with any senior Police officer.

He said he concurred with the views expressed by the lawyers and halted the case until 10.30 a.m. when uniformed Police took up positions outside and inside the court room.

For the full story see tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.