Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

An investigating officer from the Ministry of National Security examines the scene of a break-in at the Spanish Town Courthouse yesterday. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:

The Spanish Town police are carrying out investigations to determine who broke into the Spanish Town Courthouse between Friday morning and Monday morning.

According to Detective Corporal Leonard Stewart, a janitor went to work about 6:30 a.m. yesterday and discovered that a window located at the entrance that leads to the judge's chamber and the administration office was tampered with. The meshed wire covering the window was cut, and four louvre blades were missing.

Further checks revealed that the door to the administration office was tampered with and persons tried to gain entry.

Storage room

Checks by The Gleaner revealed that the area is used for the storage of case files and general database for other important documents at the court's facilities.

When The Gleaner checked court administrator Karen McFarlane as to the level of security at the court building, she replied: "I decline to comment." It was a similar answer when enquiries were made about whether any documents or other items were missing from the building.

Up to 12:00 noon yesterday, Major Merwick Sterling from the Ministry of Justice was trying to ascertain whether anything was stolen. He declined to make a comment to The Gleaner when enquiries were made. However, one attorney-at-law told The Gleaner that it was very important that the Justice Ministry effect repairs to the section of the court that was extensively damaged by fire in 2004.