Alleyne gets bail, will appear in court on May 14

Ian Alleyne and his lawyer, On Lalla on Tuesday (Newsday photo)

A Port of Spain magistrate on Tuesday granted CrimeWatch host Ian Alleyne bail in the sum of $80,000 and ordered him to return to court on May 14 in connection with four charges. He pleaded not guilty.

He was charged Monday afternoon with three counts under the Sexual Offences Act and one count for resisting arrest. He spend the night in a cell at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) because when the charges were laid it was too late for a magistrate to hear the bail application.

Alleyne's charges are in connection with a broadcast last year on his CrimeWatch show on CCN TV6. The television station is facing nine charges and will also appear in court on May 14.

Alleyne is using his legal troubles to shore up support among fans of his television show.

On Monday night some of them staged a candlelight vigil outside CCN in Port of Spain while Alleyne was in jail. And they were waiting for him in Woodford Square following his release on bail. He addressed the supporters and assured them that he would continue his work.