Rapist seeks to change plea
(CNS): A 32-year-old man from George Town who was convicted of abduction, rape and attempted rape after pleading guilty at the eleventh hour last month is now seeking to change those pleas. Jeffrey Barnes admitted the crime, somewhat reluctantly, moments before his trial for kidnapping a 49-year-old woman from a bus stop and raping her in Admiral’s Landing. Facing a second charge for a separate allegation of rape, Barnes was due to be sentenced for the original conviction after that trial later this month. However, having sacked his original defence team, his second trial has now been postponed. Barnes is also attempting to reverse his earlier convictions.
John Furniss, who has now taken on Barnes’ case, told the court Friday that he needed to discuss the charges with his client and see if it is possible for the guilty pleas entered last month to be vacated.
Justice Carol Beswick adjourned the case until 16 November to give Furniss time to deal with Barnes’ wish to withdraw his pleas and remanded him custody to HMP Northward.
With Barnes now convicted of the crime, the circumstances of which were read out to the court on 22 October ahead of a trial, there are limited circumstances under which the pleas can be vacated.
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Category: Crime
