Sex offenders returned to prison

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St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN); Three convicted sex offenders were returned to Her Majesty’s Prison following their appearances before the Court of Appeal Tuesday (Mar 14).
They appeared before Chief Justice Dame Janice Pereira, Appeals Court Judge Justice Louise Blenman and acting Appeals Court Judge Justice Trevor Warde QC.
Wendell Welcome, convicted of unlawful carnal knowledge in 2014 for the statutory rape of an 11-year-old in 2011 and sentenced to 16 years in prison, was granted an adjournment. Welcome had filed his own appeal and attorney Marsha Henderson informed that she would assist him to amend the appeal, which did not list the grounds on which he was appealing his conviction. He was given an extension and has until April 28 to have all submissions filed and served. His matter was adjourned to the next sitting of the court of appeal in the jurisdiction in June.
Troy Hendrickson, convicted in 2011 of the unlawful carnal knowledge of a 12-year-old girl, and sentenced to 20 years behind bars also saw his matter adjourned. The Justices informed the appellant that his attorney of record John Cato had not filed submissions his behalf as had been ordered at the last sitting of the court.
During the proceedings the Justices were served with letter on behalf of the attorney, with a medical certificate enclosed stating that Mr. Cato would not be appearing in court due to medical reasons.
Chief Justice Pereira noted that Hendrickson’s matter had come before the court several times and had been adjourned each time. 
She ordered that the appellant is to serve all submissions no later than April 10, and the matter was adjourned to the next sitting of the court. 
The Chief Justice warned Hendrickson to inform his attorney of the court orders, stressing that this was the last adjournment she would be granting him.
“Come June the Court intends to proceed with your appeal.”
Quincy Davis, convicted of unlawful carnal knowledge in 2013, told the Appellate Judges that he is still trying to retain legal counsel and was to have been assisted by relative. 
Attorney Hesketh Benjamin said he had visited the appellant several times at the prison and discussed the matter of payment for services, however the relative had not been forthcoming. He asked that Davis be given until the next sitting of the court to get his affairs in order. 
Chief Justice Pereira noted that no submissions had been filed in relation to Davis’ appeal and ordered that be done by April 10. She warned Davis that this would be his final adjournment.
Also appearing before the Appeals court was Alpha “Raga” Duporte, convicted of murder and two counts of attempted murder. He too expressed difficulty in retaining legal counsel. 
The Justices granted him an adjournment, admonishing him to urge his relatives to get a lawyer so that this appeal could be heard.

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