Jason Forde has a case to answer.
After hearing evidence over the past few months from the police officer who arrested Forde, employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Attorney General’s Office which received correspondence from Britain requesting Forde’s extradition, Magistrate Graveney Bannister has determined that a prima facie case had been made against the former male nurse.
Forde, of #2 Constance Drive, Seaview, Chancery Lane, Christ Church is wanted by British authorities to stand trial for eight sexual offences allegedly committed just over ten years ago while he was working at a British hospital.
When the extradition hearing continued last Friday in the District ‘A’ Traffic Court, Bannister responded to and ruled against a no-case submission entered by Forde’s attorney Hal Gollop Q.C on the last occasion.
Forde is accused of engaging in sexual conduct with a person with a mental disorder by a caregiver, sometime on or before May 10, 2004. The alleged offences took place at a Psychiatric Hospital in Westminster, United Kingdom while he was employed there as a nurse.
Forde will be given an opportunity to put his case on November 20. However, Gollop informed the court that he and his client will be unavailable on that date, which is too soon for him to properly get in touch with prospective witnesses who reside in England and “not in Brereton or some place like that”.
Gollop asked for a six-week minimum instead but it was not granted.
The Crown was represented by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Donna Babb-Agard Q.C. and Principal Crown Counsel Elwood Watts.
Forde remains on bail until the next date of hearing.