Former state minister in the Ministry of Industry Technology, Energy and Commerce, Kern Spencer, is hugged by two women as he returned to the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday. Spencer, the MP for North East St Elizabeth, is facing criminal charges for his part in the Cuban light bulb project. - Norman Grindley

Supporters of Member of Parliament Kern Spencer cheered as he left the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's court on Wednesday.

Spencer, along with co-accused Rodney Chin and Coleen Wright, was ordered to return to court on May 16 when the matter will be mentioned. Several supporters spoke with Spencer as he left the court with many offering words of encouragement and best wishes.

In the court, Paula Llewellyn, director of public prosecutions, requested six weeks to complete the file and provide copies of it to the defence.

However, defence lawyers argued that they are yet to receive any of the information the prosecution have on the matter, and that six weeks was far too long to wait. However, Resident Magistrate Glen Brown who heard the matter said it was a reasonable request and granted it, despite pleas from the attorneys for some information to be given to them.

In addition, Valerie Neita-Robertson, who represents Chin, also made an application for the release of her client's travel documents, noting that he was a businessman and was required to travel between the United States and Jamaica almost weekly for business.

In response to the application, RM Brown said he would have the police turn over the documents to the clerk of courts. He also said Chin should provide a letter to the clerk when he needs the documents and return them when he comes back to the island. He added that he would have the clerk provide Chin with a letter indicating that he had the court's permission to travel.

Spencer, 33, former state minister with responsibility for the Cuban light bulb programme, Wright, 27, his former assistant, and Chin, 45, managing director of Universal Management Company and Caribbean Communication Media Network Ltd, are all facing various charges arising from the Cuban light bulb project.

The charges range from conspiracy to defraud, money laundering and breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act. Spencer is facing nine charges, Chin four and Wright six. Their bails have been extended until the next mention date.