I have lived with both the elite and those who were, according to our society, the not-so-elite, but I have never been treated the way I have observed how our Jamaican police treat persons,' she went on. I have been an ambassador for Jamaica via the vehicle of education. I have served in education in the United States. 'I am an educator for over 25 years I have served my country for most of my tenure. What happened to confidentiality?' the angry spouse told the Jamaica Observer last Wednesday. As I clearly remember, on one of my visits when I asked why was my loved one being denied water, I was shouted at by the police, disclosing openly the allegations of my loved one in front of the other visitors. 'I am expecting them to be professionals and act as such. The woman, unmoved, criticised Jamaican police and questioned whether they were equipped with 'intangible traits', during life or training, that would foster basic human dignity. The man, in his early 50s, was arrested and charged following a 2020 incident in which he is alleged to have plied a 13-year-old with liquor and touched her privates before taking her to his house where he allegedly offered her money in exchange for sexual intercourse.

This is Stephens' second run-in with the courts, after appearing before Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montague in August 2022 for sex-based offences. He was charged with 57 counts of importing drugs without a licence 56 counts of distributing drugs without a licence 33 counts of fees not paid to the Ministry of Health 17 counts of breaching the Food and Drugs Act 16 counts of having drugs not registered with the Ministry of Health 13 counts of dispensing drugs without a licence nine counts of breaches of the Pharmacy Act four counts of selling a list of drugs without a prescription two counts of breaches of the Customs Act two counts of not being registered as a pharmacist two counts of a premises not registered as a pharmacy and one count of unlawful possession of property. Stephens, a day-care operator whom she defends wholeheartedly, faces a jaw-dropping 212-count indictment. DESPITE hefty and damning allegations levied against Keita Stephens, his spouse is hell-bent that his human rights ought to be maintained while he sits in a Corporate Area lock-up awaiting his date in court.

Never Too Much by Lori Foster