The case against a barrister accused of trying to persuade a prosecution witness to change his story has been stopped by the presiding judge.

Kamal Worrell had “unequivocally” denied trying to get Levon Thomas to give false evidence in a shooting trial to prevent his client Devon Hewey from being convicted.

Yesterday morning at Supreme Court Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons told jurors that she had made a legal ruling in their absence to “withdraw” the case against Mr Worrell.

She said: “You will notice that Mr Worrell is no longer present in court and his absence is a result of a legal ruling I have made.

“It is my duty to make rulings on the law. This is an occasion when I must bring it to your attention.

“It would not be appropriate for me to get into any details. But I have to say that you must accept my decision to withdraw the case of Mr Worrell from you and stop the prosecution of Mr Worrell.

“That is my ruling and you must accept it.”

Justice Simmons told the jury that they should put Mr Worrell’s case “entirely out of mind” and concentrate on trying the two remaining defendants.

Mr Worrell, who represented himself at trial, previously told jurors he had done nothing wrong in meeting with Mr Thomas before the trial and insisted he was innocent of all charges.

Mr Hewey and a third man, Dujon Reid-Anderson, remain on trial accused of trying to persuade Mr Thomas to give false evidence. They deny the charges.

The case continues.

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