Man Charged With Work Violation Skips Bail
A 58 year old Jamaican national who was charged with working illegally in Bermuda was due to appear in Court yesterday [Mar 31], however the Court heard he has ‘skipped bail’ and left the island.
Last week, Owen Charles Morrison was bailed in the sum of $2,000 to appear in Magistrate’s Court on Monday to stand trial on a charge alleging he was working in Bermuda without a Work Permit.
The Court previously heard he was allegedly found working in a garage in Wellbottom, Southampton earlier this month.
However yesterday he did not appear, with Prosecutor Kenlyn Swan telling Senior Magistrate Archie Warner that the Immigration Department had informed her that Mr Morrison had flown out of Bermuda and was therefore unlikely to appear in Court as ordered.
Ms Swan requested a bench warrant for his arrest. However the Senior Magistrate demurred, saying that since it was likely that if found guilty, the Immigration Department and the Crown would have sought his deportation.
The Senior Magistrate said there was no practical point in issuing a warrant for Mr. Morrison’s arrest; given that he had now left the island, thus fulfilling the aim of a successful prosecution.
The Crown Prosecutor submitted that the Crown sought an arrest warrant in the event that Mr Morrison returned to Bermuda.
The Senior Magistrate said that in his view, the Immigration Department controlled the borders and that Mr Morrisson, having allegedly breached Immigration laws, should not be able to return to Bermuda as the Immigration Department had wide authority and control over the process of all entry by all persons into Bermuda.
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Articles that link to this one:
- Man Denies Unlawfully Employing Man At Garage | Bernews.com | April 9, 2014
There’s still a few more out there like this one…book ‘em Danno!
Its that easy to get out of Bermuda?
Oh I forgot you can just bum a ride on a plane. LMFAO
But seriously with all de money he sent back home to live comfortable for the rest of his life it was worth it.
Run Forest Run.
Look…Its a bird, Its a plane…Its Jamaican nationally Owen Morrison getting the hell out of dodge!!
How this happened, I would love to know…
I have friends who have been stopped at the airport for fines they got when they were 17 and are now 34!!
Also, I am sure Bermudians, read and listen to the news…Perhaps someone could have recognized his name and nationality and put 2 and 2 together …#GuessNot
Sounds like Ms. Swan was trying her best to make work for her fellow civil servants.
Now, how about bringing a charge against the garage that hired him or is that too close to home?
April Fool…. Smh.
Saved the taxpayers some money.
I wonder how many Children he left behind. -
Ok..he has left…what about his employer?? We have heard nothing of them!!
we need to read that the person that employed him was booked and brought before the Court otherwise the Immigration has FAILED in their duties.
Here’s a suggestion for Minister of National Security bill and pass a law for foreign nationals that steal from this country!!!
Tax the rest who are here legally!!! Every year millions of dollars leave this island with foreign workers who do not claim monies acquired while working outside of their over taxed countries!!!!
For every $100 made add a 2% charge so that Bermuda benefits from it!!!!
Any ex-pat earning less that $80,000 should pay 50% payroll tax. That will free up a lot of jobs for Bermudians. Review the new law every election year ! Any employer breaching the tax law or immigration law first offence $500,000. Any individual in breech of the immigration or the tax law becomes subject to 75% payroll tax for one year. This problem would be resolved over night or even sooner !
That would be a great move! Then you’ll really see a mass exodus and an island in a real sad state. A real taste of poverty!
Are you kidding they don’t have the BALLS to do anything like that
Ace boy said :See ya!
Let him go! Now we don’t have to pay court fees nor house him in Westgate at an enormous amount per year.
For once Warner’s decision makes sense.
$2k for the consolidated fund
$$ saved on any hearing/trial
$$ saved because he used his own funds to get crackin’
This outcome is win-win-win. Now, is there an employer responsible….?
I am not the least bit surprised that he left island. It was almost a given as soon as he was granted bail. And the lunacy of the Bermuda Justice system continues on.
Did we get the bail money ?
The employer is Ricky’s garage well bottom. I hope he will be held accountable. Shame on you! If immigration let the employer get away then they definitely are not protecting the bermudian people.