Former Morant Bay mayor and three others freed of police assault charges

Former Morant Bay Mayor and People’s National Party caretaker Hubert Williams and three other persons were freed in the St Thomas Parish Court on Thursday after the prosecution withdrew assault and obstruction charges.

The other defendants were Leroy Passley, a pastor; Kimberley Thompson, a justice of the peace; and transport operator Winston Thompson.

Attorney Deborah Martin, who represented two Passley and Winston Thompson, confirmed Friday that all four had been discharged.

The charges arose from an alleged altercation with police in Danvers Pen in St Thomas in July 2025.

Attorney Hensley Williams represented the former mayor while the justice of the peace was represented by attorney Bertram Anderson.

Martin explained that between the last court date in December and Thursday’s scheduled trial, there was communication between the parties and “extensive submissions said in court.”

Martin said the incident stemmed from police efforts to apprehend a man described as being of unsound mind.

“They didn't realize that he was a person of unsound mind, and he didn't know why the police were interacting with him. So he resisted,” she said.

According to Martin, the four former defendants intervened to alert officers to the man’s condition.

“The conduct of the accused persons were to try to bring to the police's attention who this man was, that he's a person of unsound mind. This is who you're dealing with,” she said.

She added that both sides recognised that “the officers were acting on behalf of the community and the interveners were acting on behalf of a citizen.”

“The parties have talked and they are of the view that this is the best way to move on. Because all parties are committed in their way to serving their community.”

“It was agreed by the Crown that they would withdraw the charges,” Martin added, noting that the judge approved the decision.

Williams, the councillor for the White Horses division and PNP caretaker for St Thomas Western, previously suggested the charges were politically motivated.

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