Three men appeared in Supreme Court facing separate charges of sex offences against young people during the court’s monthly arraignments session.

And another two men denied burglary at a Hamilton Parish home while wielding a firearm.

A 34-year-old Sandys man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was set to answer charges of sexually exploiting a young person, reportedly a seven-year-old girl, and two counts of intruding on the privacy of the same girl, however his matter was set back until September 12 without him being required to plea.

During today’s appearance, Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons agreed to reduce the defendant’s bail, which had been set at $25,000 with a like surety. He was however warned that under the conditions of his bail he was not to have any contact whatsoever with the victim, must report to the Hamilton Police Station twice a week and surrender all travel documents.

A second man, also 34, denied three charges of sexually exploiting a young person while in a position of trust in a series of incidents which occurred between September 2009 and January 2012. The charges involve two separate girls, both of whom were under the age of 14 at the time of the offences.

He was released on bail until next month, when the matter is expected to go to trial.

Also appearing was a 17-year-old, who denied two counts of sexual assault and two counts of having unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl between the ages of 14 and 16 related to incidents which occurred on January 24 and 29 this year. In connection to the latter incident, he also denied a count of depriving the victim of liberty.

He was released on bail, with his matter to be mentioned next month in advance of a Supreme Court trial early next year.

In a separate matter, Umdae Wooldridge, 25, from St David’s, and Taariq Clarke, 23, from Pembroke, denied charges of aggravated burglary using a firearm in connection to a burglary on March 14.

Both men pleaded not guilty to illegally entering a North Shore Road home with a firearm and stealing an iPhone and a Samsung Galaxy phone. They further denied illegally possessing a firearm and discharging the firearm on the same date.

Both men remained remanded in custody, and the matter is expected to return to court next month.

Appearing via teleconference from Westgate Correctional Facility, Wolda Gardner and Rickai Dickinson were given a sentencing date of September 17 for the murder of George Lynch, who was gunned down outside his neighbours home. Both men had denied charges of premeditated murder, but were found guilty by a jury following a Supreme Court trial.

Convicted killer Julian Washington was meanwhile given a sentencing date of September 19 for the 2012 murder of Stefan Burgess, who was shot while attending a birthday party at The Glebe Road. Washington was also found guilty of attempting to murder Devano Bremer, who was shot in the same incident.

The resentencing of gunman Kevin Warner for the murder of Dekimo “Purple” Martin was also set for September 19. Warner was previously sentenced for the 2011 murder, but that sentence was overturned as a result of a result of a Privy Council ruling limiting the length of minimum sentences.

Also expected to appear before the Supreme Court later this month for sentencing are Coltrane Ratteray, who was convicted of prowling after being caught on CCTV, Steven James O’Neil, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to multiple counts of burglary.

* It is The Royal Gazette’s policy not to allow comments on stories regarding active court cases. This is to prevent any statements being published that may jeopardise the outcome of that case.