Summons issued for convicted club owner to answer human trafficking charges

Freeman Fordyce
Freeman Fordyce

A summons was issued on Friday for Diamond nightclub owner Freeman Fordyce, who is set to face charges for the trafficking of Venezuelan women.

Fordyce, who was given a four-year suspended sentence last month after being found guilty of illegal firearm and ammunition possession, was a no-show in the courtroom of Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer to charges of trafficking the women.

Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers told the court that the accused was granted his release on his own recognisance after he was charged by the police. He was ordered to report to the Criminal Investigation Department but never did. The prosecutor added that searches were made for Fordyce but they proved futile.

The Chief Magistrate subsequently ordered that a summons be issued for the accused and adjourned the matter until March 14th.

The new charges against Freeman stem from a raid at the George Street club, where a number of foreign nationals were found by the police. The police carried out the raid after a video was posted online showing women scaling the fence to enter the locked compound.

On February 1st, Fordyce was handed a four year suspended sentence for the firearm and ammunition charges by Magistrate Faith McGusty. The judgment is being appealed by the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.