Ian Alleyne spends the night in jail; supporters stage candlelight vigil

Crime Watch host Ian Alleyne was formally charged Monday and ordered to spend the night in a cell at the Port of Spain Criminal Investigation Department (CID). He is due to appear before a Port of Spain magistrate Tuesday.

Alleyne was in hospital until early afternoon undergoing tests for chest pains. He was sent to the Port of Spain general hospital shortly after his arrest on Thursday night and transferred to the Mount Hope hospital the next day.

He was taken to the Port of Spain CID for processing around 4 Monday afternoon where police formally laid three charges under the Sexual Offences Act and another for resisting arrest.

The charges stem from the showing of video on the Crime Watch show of the rape of a 13-year-old girl.

Alleyne's lawyer Om Lalla confirmed that police laid the charges. He told reporters Monday evening that his client can only receive bail by a Magistrate. It was too late Monday to get that done, so Alleyne will remain in custody overnight. 

Om Lalla

He said, "Mr. Alleyne's warrants have been executed upon him. I have applied for bail but the warrants do not permit bail. They are warrants that indicate that he has to be brought directly to a Magistrate. So in other words, only a Magistrate can hear and set bail," he explained to reporters.

Lalla said he is sure Alleyne won't face any difficulties overnight. "I don't think he is going to have or, in any way, be in a difficult position. In other words he is not going to be under threat or in a harsh position," he said.

He said Alleyne is ready to answer the charges. He commented briefly on Alleyne's medical condition saying he is doing well for now. He added that his client would deal with his medical condition in the near future.

Alleyne's fans and supporting gathered outside the CCN compound in Port of Spain for a candlelight vigil for Alleyne. The photo below by Faine Richards has been supplied to JYOTI via facebook.