The prosecutor in the matter involving Caribbean Communications Network (CCN) has filed 22 statements and yesterday assured the six outstanding statements would be filed before the next adjourned date. George Busby issued the assurance when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar in the Port-of-Spain Eighth Court yesterday. He said in addition to the six outstanding statements, they were yet to decide on whether or not a "particular piece of evidence was admissible."
However, he assured Chote that all issues would be determined before the adjourned date of May 28. CCN, which is the parent company of TV6, was previously the broadcaster of Ian Alleyne's Crime Watch programme which is now being broadcast on CNC3. CCN is facing nine charges which stem from a video depicting the rape of a 13-year-old which was allegedly aired three times on TV 6 from October 24 to 26, 2011.
Three of the charges were laid under Section 32 (2) of the Sexual Offences Act which makes it an offence to reveal the identity of a rape victim during a broadcast. The remaining six charges fall under the Telecommunications Act for alleged breaches of its licence and concession which was issued by the Telecommunications Authority of T&T (TATT). Although Alleyne was convicted and fined $30,000 in relation to three charges under the Sexual Offences Act, CCN has maintained its not guilty plea in relation to all nine charges. Alleyne is still before the court charged with resisting arresting officer ASP Ajith Persad in the execution of his duties.
He will reappear on June 7 before the senior magistrate to answer that charge for which he was granted $20,000 own bail.