Back in August 2021, when we were still dealing with COVID lockdowns and quarantine regulations, a group of 11 persons were rounded up and charged after they were allegedly caught partying on a boat called, "Pan D Joyride."
But tonight, they're free of those charges after the Chief Magistrate, Sharon Frazer, struck out the matter after she deemed that they were unfairly charged. After six of the defendants maintained their not guilty plea, 31-year-old Evan Thompson, told the court that they were not partying on it. He explained that he chartered the boat for his 30th birthday to take him and his friends to Caye Caulker, rather than use a water taxi. He added that when the police came to arrest them, the 60 passengers were all seated and wearing their masks. He even mentioned that he was not even on the boat at the time of the arrest.
The Chief Magistrate asked the arresting officer in court if that was true, and the officer confirmed the account. The officer added that the reason only 11 out of the 60 were before the court was that it was only her and another cop trying to control all the passengers, and some left before they could arrest them. The ones in the courtroom were the only ones who remained onboard.
Frazer then explained that she felt that it would be an injustice to only charge the 11 persons when there were a lot more on the boat. She added that she believes the police could not prove the charge before the court before striking out the case.
Originally, 9 persons - 8 adults and a 16-year-old minor - charged for attending a gathering of more than 9 persons who are not of the same household. The boat captain was charged with inciting people to contravene the public health regulation, and Thompson was charged with hosting a private gathering.
