A Summary Court trial for a former police officer accused of breaching COVID-19 curfew has been delayed.
Cardiff Robinson, who was previously employed with the RCIPS as a constable, is charged with of a single count of breach of curfew.
The charge stems from an allegation that Robinson on Thursday, 14 May 2020, breached the government-imposed shelter-in-place regulations by being at a dwelling other than his place of residence past curfew.
At the time of the alleged incident, government had imposed a strict curfew for all non-essential workers between the hours of 8pm and 5am.
Prior to the start of the trial, Judge Philippa McFarlane recused herself on the grounds of a “perceived” bias, because she had previously presided over a case in which Robinson had been involved.
“The judiciary is mindful of the need to eliminate biases whether real or perceived, and it is important to not only do so, but to also be seen doing so,” said McFarlane. “It is for this reason that I suggest the matter be put back so that it can be listed before another magistrate.”
The trial was unlikely to have proceeded today anyway, as a key witness for the trial was unable to attend the court.
“A witness needed for today’s trial, who is recovering from an illness, was unable to attend the court,” said prosecutor Gavin Dixon, who explained he discovered these details the day before the trial.
Robinson denies the allegation.
He was released on bail and is expected to return for trial in January.
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