Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Adlai Smith has highlighted the severity of alleged judicial interference following the recent charges laid against attorney-at-law Vaughan Henderson and an unnamed police officer of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.
According to the DPP, the police officer, who is currently before the High Court on a charge of indecent assault, allegedly attempted to interfere with a case involving a vulnerable victim—a 12-year-old girl who reported an indecent assault incident on 28th June 2023. The officer allegedly offered the minor money in exchange for her silence.
Smith revealed that the Commissioner of Police sought legal advice in December 2023 regarding charges against the officer. After reviewing the evidence, the DPP advised that the officer be charged, leading to formal charges being laid in January 2024. However, intelligence suggesting potential external interference prompted a separate investigation into the minor’s mother.
The investigation deepened, and on 7th February 2025, a search warrant was executed at Henderson’s law offices, resulting in charges of Attempting to Pervert the Course of Justice and Money Laundering against both Henderson and the police officer.
Smith emphasised that the charges are merely allegations, and all accused individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. He also indicated that further charges against the mother are expected.
Expressing grave concern, Smith said, “The justice system has a fundamental duty to protect children from exploitation and abuse, and any efforts to manipulate the legal process to obstruct justice will be met with the full force of the law.”
The DPP also condemned the practice of witness interference and the acceptance of financial compensation by mothers to avoid prosecuting perpetrators of sexual offences against their children. He described the trend as a betrayal of trust and a direct affront to the justice system.
