PRIME MINISTER Freundel Stuart has described the late Director of Public Prosecutions Charles Leacock, Q.C., who will be laid to rest tomorrow, as “a devoted public officer and a great lawyer”.
Stuart expressed this view recently while delivering remarks at a seminar for Permanent Secretaries and Officers of Related Grades. He said Leacock loyally attended the meetings of the Committee of Permanent Secretaries and Officers of Related Grades and his in-depth contributions would be missed.
Stating that his relationship with Leacock went back to 1982 when they met at Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad, the Prime Minister pointed out that they had “fought many battles” together. Stuart was a defence lawyer, while Leacock was a prosecutor and later moved up the ranks to Director of Public Prosecutions.
Stuart stated: “I believe that we made it to the record books in the West Indian Law Reports when we both did the first criminal case in Barbados to be decided on the basis of DNA evidence.”
He informed that in that case, after the necessary affidavit evidence was put together, they had appeared before the Court of Appeal of Barbados, presided over by Sir David Simmons. He stressed that Leacock fully cooperated in the exercise, with a successful conclusion.
The Prime Minister said he and Leacock had “many good times together” and he remembered him with “profound gratitude”. Stuart has extended sincere condolences to Leacock’s family on behalf of the Government of Barbados. (BGIS)
