Joey makes court appearance

(CNS): The independent candidate for North Side made his first appearance in Summary Court Tuesday, answering his bail before Magistrate Valdis Foldats. Joey Ebanks is facing 29 charges relating to fraud, forgery andtheft, most of which are category B and C offences, in relation to his time as the managing director of the Electricity Regulatory Authority. One of the charges, which accuses the former ERA boss of obtaining a money transfer by deception, is a category A offence and, as a result, had to be transmitted immediately to the Grand Court. Ebanks was bailed to return to both Summary and Grand Court on 3 May.

The normally outspoken and controversial character remained silent throughout the technical discussions before thanking the magistrate when he set the next appearance date.

Although the attorney acting on his behalf had asked for an adjournment until 28 May, after the election, the transmission of the case to the higher court required a date before the political fight on 22 May. The crown also expressed its interest in applying for all of the B offences to be transmitted to Grand Court as well, which will be dealt with at the next hearing.

Ebanks is likely to want a jury trial and, as a result, all of the charges against him are expected to end up in the Grand Court. The particulars of the offense were not detailed and in the absence of Ebanks' attorney, Ben Tonner of Samson McGrath, who was in another trial, the case was adjourned without further developments.