ODPP rules against charges for tourist accused of assault

The police are reporting that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has ruled against criminals proceedings in the alleged incident involving two tourists at an all-inclusive resort in Negril in July.

It was reported that on July 5, 2018, a South African national residing in the United States who was visiting the island with her employers made a report to the Negril police about an alleged incident involving another guest, who is also a foreign national, at the resort.

The woman’s employers reportedly noticed marks on her neck.

She then reportedly indicated that she had a drink with a man and subsequently woke up and found herself sitting in a shower on the property.

A report was subsequently filed at the Negril Police.

According to the police, investigators from the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse conducted a probe that entailed, among other things, the collection of evidence for forensic analysis, which also included a toxicology analysis.

They further say that closed-circuit television surveillance footage was also collected and analysed.

The police say statements were collected by the investigators and the completed file was submitted to the ODPP for a ruling.

“As reiterated by the ruling, the complainant did not outline in her statement that any assault on her person occurred, and she did not make a formal report of any sexual assault. The toxicology report did not reveal anything of note,” the police said in a statement this afternoon.

“The ODDP ruled that the theory of the complainant being drugged is not sustainable. Hence, the ODDP has indicated that these factors combined would defeat any possible prosecutions,” the police continued.

The police said that based on the ruling, the investigation is suspended, pending any new evidentiary material that may arise.

“Visitor safety and security remains a top priority of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). The JCF continues to bolster its commitment and responsiveness to the security needs of visitors by collaborating with international partners and hoteliers to deliver a series of training focused on sexual assault committed against visitors.

“The work to manage and reduce crime against visitors also continues to be driven through the Force’s Visitor Security and Tourism Programme, which facilitates the prioritisation of the security issues facing the tourism sector through a number of operational activities, such as the patrolling of tourist attractions and conducting the security inspections and certification of resorts, hotels and attractions in keeping with the Jamaica Tourist Board Act and other relevant regulations,” said the police statement. 

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