AFTER more than two years before the court, footballer Stern John was yesterday freed on a charge of breaching the curfew during the 2011 limited State of Emergency.
John, who was charged alongside three women, reappeared before Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar in the Port of Spain Court.
They had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges but yesterday changed it to guilty.
The women are attorney Denisha Mayers, 35, Terri-Ann Humphrey, 31, and her sister Teresa Humphrey.
All four were charged with being on the compound of Motor One Insurance on the night of October 15 during the State of Emergency, at the corner of French Street and Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook.
During yesterday’s hearing, Ayers-Caesar was presented with several written testimonials outlining the good character of the accused and their contribution to their communities.
The magistrate however, expressed concern with the late changing of the not guilty plea, stating that this could have been done since the matter first came up for hearing.
She later proceeded to reprimand and discharge the four on the charges. They will therefore have no criminal record attached to their names.
Acting Sgt Johnson Benjamin and PC Hadeed Mohammed who made the arrests and laid the charges were also commended by the magistrate who ordered that they each be rewarded $500.
Defence attorneys Keith Scotland and Asha Watkins-Montserin represented the four, while George Busby prosecuted for the State.