Man pleads not guilty to sexually exploiting a young person
A 36-year-old man pleaded not guilty in Supreme Court this morning to sexually exploiting a young person.The defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denied six charges, including deprivation of liberty, serious assault, possessing an offensive weapon, specifically a claw hammer, and possessing drug equipment.Chief Justice Richard Ground ordered the defendant remanded in custody, scheduling his trial for September 26.In a separate matter heard during today’s arraignment’s session, three people today denied money laundering charges.Omari Gyasus Kevin Franklin, Allana Latria Tait and Dennisha Sahima Simmons all pleaded not guilty to laundering money between May 23, 2007 and May 22, 2010.Mr Franklin and Ms Tait each face two charges of money laundering, along with possessing cannabis and drug equipment last May, while Ms Simmons faces only a single charge of money laundering.Mr Franklin also denied a charge of conspiring with others to import a controlled drug.The three were released on bail, with the matter scheduled for mention on August 1.Shiloh Wayne Payne, 26, also appeared in Supreme Court, facing charges of wounding a 57-year-old Randy Thompson with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing a sharply pointed object, a screwdriver, in an increased penalty zone.He pleaded not guilty to all charges.The Chief Justice remanded Mr Payne in custody, scheduling his trial for September 12.