DPP discontinues case against teacher

The case against school teacher Jozette Bibby-Bowens has been discontinued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

This was confirmed to SEARCHLIGHT by DPP Colin Williams.

Williams, in a brief interview yesterday, said there are ways to deal with the Bibby-Bowens matter {{more}}other than the criminal process.

Bibby-Bowens was due to return to court today, April 17, to answer two charges of obscene publication for posts she allegedly made on Facebook, on Tuesday, February 17, 2015.

She had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The teacher of electronic document preparation management, principles of accounts and information technology at the Bishop’s College Kingstown was arrested at school on March 2, 2015.

The comments that Bibby-Bowens was alleged to have made relate to the change in government in St Kitts/Nevis and the fact that someone by the name of “Ralph” had congratulated the new government.

The first publication, allegedly made at 4:35 p.m on February 17, stated: “Wunna does r***h*** feel the f*** country is wunna own… they must jail yuh m*** c*** now… all yuh does let power get to all yuh head but even the longest rope have an end.”

The second, posted just two minutes later, said “Ralph yuh should shame to congratulate the new government of St Kitts them must tell you all yuh m*** c***!!!”

Bibby-Bowens had been charged under Section 284 (1) (a), chapter 171 of the Revised Edition of the laws of St Vincent and the Grenadines 2009.

The section states: “For the purpose of, or by way of, trade, or for the purpose of distribution or public exhibition, makes, produces or has in his possession any obscene writing, drawing, print, painting, printed matter, photographs, pictures, poster, emblems, photos, films, discs or any other obscene objects tending to corrupt morals.”

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of nine months in prison.

Bibby-Bowens had also been suspended from her duties on half salary, effective March 5.

She had also been restricted from leaving the state without permission from the Public Service Commission.