British soldier Private Perry Stratford wept in court yesterday when he learned he was going to be remanded to prison. He had hoped to get a soft remand at the BATSUB base in Ladyville. This is after he was charged with kidnapping, theft, harm and damage to property in a domestic dispute- which reportedly all started all he confronted his Belizean fiancé with text messages on her phone showing that she had cheated on him.
But, tonight, he got his wish - after an emergency bail hearing in the Supreme Court this afternoon. Our court reporter was there and Cherisse Halsall has this story:
30-year-old Perry Stratford, a British soldier may have been limping today but he was certainly relieved to be in the custody of his own army after he got Supreme Court bail.
In a first-of-its-kind arrangement worked out by his attorney, he will spend what would have been a remand period instead at the BATSUB army base in Ladyville.
Reporter
"So today your client a few minutes ago left in the presence of 2 military personnel and that's where he will remain until his case."
OJ Elrington, Attorney - Perry Stratford
"Until the conclusion of this matter he will be in the care of BATSUB. The learned justice was particularly perturbed about the fact that military and law enforcement officers at all costs so long as they have not been convicted should have alternative places for them to reside until their bail can be heard at least."
And Elrington explains that Stratford has received some very strict bail conditions including 6 months of anger management counseling.
OJ Elrington, Attorney - Perry Stratford
"Understanding the unique circumstances of the matter before us place some very strict conditions on Mr. Stratford in granting his bail. Those conditions include but are not limited to the fact that he cannot leave the premisses at Price Barracks, he must report every single day to the military police and of course the normal conditions apply that he cannot be accused of any other matter while he is out on bail and obviously, he cannot contact the virtual complainant in this matter."
Reporter
"He was also ordered to do 6 months of anger management."
OJ Elrington, Attorney - Perry Stratford
"Yes. That was one of the additional orders as well."
And while it's a fairly straightforward arrangement, Stratford also had a statement he wanted to make. He says he's the victim.
OJ Elrington, Attorney - Perry Stratford
"For some days my client had been expressing the fact that he too wanted to put on record his version of the events, because he felt that he was the victim in all this issue and so the judge from the bench ordered that they comply with his request and allow him to give a statement. So obviously that the police can investigate and prosecute if necessary."
Police have now recorded a counter complaint from Stratford made against his ex-fiancé. He denies all allegations made against him. He was detained on Christmas Eve and spent four nights in custody.
The bail hearing was held in the courtroom of Justice Ricardo Sandcroft and the prosecution had no objection to bail. Sandcroft noted international practice is that no law enforcement officers are to be housed in the general population of any prison. Stratford's next court date is set for February 17, 2023.
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