Jamaican man convicted, fined in Antigua for escaping immigration custody
Published:Tuesday | January 28, 2025 | 2:38 PM
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – A 26-year-old Jamaican man has been convicted and fined EC$1,500 after pleading guilty to escaping the lawful custody of the Antigua and Barbuda Immigration Department earlier this month.
Akido McDonald was arrested last Saturday after being found hiding at a house in Swetes, on the southeast side of the island, following his escape from the Immigration Detention Centre at Coolidge the day before.
McDonald pleaded guilty when he appeared before Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel and was given 48 hours to pay the fine.
He was also ordered to be removed from the island once the fine is paid. The court was informed that the next available flight from Antigua to Jamaica is scheduled for Thursday, January 30.
As a result, McDonald has been remanded to His Majesty’s Prison until his deportation.
McDonald had arrived in Antigua from Kingston on a Caribbean Airlines flight on January 23 but was denied entry by immigration officers.
The court heard that, along with several other individuals, he was transported to the Immigration Detention Centre at Coolidge to await his return to Jamaica. However, he scaled the southern iron gate of the compound, with a knapsack on his back, and escaped.
Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.