BY Tashieka Mair, Star Writer

western bureau:

The Direct of Public Prose-cutions (DPP) has not yet given any confirmation as to who will prosecute the case against St. James policeman, Sergeant Vin-cent Saddler, who is facing corruption charges in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court.

The uncertainty was revealed to the court on Friday, when the cop turned up for trial. The case was therefore adjourned until May 29, and subpoenas were issued for the witnesses who were absent.

Sgt. Saddler's $250,000 bail was also extended.

The 48-year-old cop, who is attached to the Montego Bay Criminal Investigation Branch, was charged with breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act following a DPP ruling on February 22.

Unlawful search

The Crown is alleging that on July 28, 2006, the sergeant and four other policemen, all dressed in plain clothes, went to the complainant's home at Catherine Mount in Montego Bay, where he resides with his wife.

It is alleged that one of the officers approached the complainant with a paper stating that he had a warrant to search the house. It is said that the officers subsequently went to the couple's bedroom, and four proceeded to search the area without giving any reasons.

Further allegations are that Sgt. Saddler took the wife to another room and asked for "the big money", as he had heard that they were involved in illegal gambling. The woman, however, said she had no money, and they proceeded back to her bedroom where he again asked her about money.

She was later shown lottery tickets and $9,000 that were allegedly found in a drawer in the room. The policemen also took the keys for a Toyota Levin motorcar, which they allegedly said was believed to have been stolen.

The court also heard that the complainant was taken to the station where he was given back the $9,000 after being interviewed by other police personnel.

Mr. Saddler allegedly told the complainant that he would charge him with fraudulent use of a license plate. Further allegations are that on the way to the cellblock; the accused cop told the complainant that if he wanted to avoid charges in relation to the lottery tickets, he would have to pay him $500,000 and this request was allegedly made on other occasions after that.

It is said that the complainant allegedly told the police sergeant that he could only pay $200,000, and they agreed on that figure.

Subsequently on August 2, the complainant's wife and her cousin met with the sergeant to make arrangements for payment. Mr. Saddler allegedly told her that the money would only clear up the matter with the lottery tickets, and said he would deal with the other charges later.

She subsequently made the payment later that day at Sgt. Saddler's office at the Montego Freeport Police Station. An investigation was carried out two days after the incident, after a formal complaint was received.