APOLOGY

07.DEC.07

In the 19th of October 2007 issue of “The Searchlight” newspaper, it was reported that Mr. Ronald John, a farmer, of Calliaqua, was convicted of the offence of possession of an illegal substance, and sentenced to two and a half years, and six months in jail, to run concurrently after entering a plea of guilty on the charges, before magistrate Donald Browne at the Kingstown Magistrates’ Court. The article stated that John was found with a package of twenty and a half pounds of cocaine and two marijuana bombs, for which he received the sentences.

A co-accused, Clyden Osbourne, who was the one actually convicted and sentenced in the manner mentioned, was pictured in the article. The picture was wrongfully reported to be that of Ronald John. The charges against John were withdrawn.

The Searchlight newspaper is now satisfied that the above statements were wholly erroneous and desires to express its regret to Mr. Ronald John and to apologize to him for any embarrassment and inconvenience which may have been caused to him.