MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:
Congregation celebrates Kathy's historic ordination; Officers charged; Appeals rejected; Williams appeal; Maxi's fund grows; This week's cruise chips.

Congregation celebrates Kathy's historic ordination

CHRIST CHURCH Cathedral was packed on Sunday for the ordination of Kathy Biles. Cathedral Rector, Paul Sweeting, said he was "delighted" with the service, conducted by Bishop Stephen Venner. He commented, "There was a real sense, not only of this being a historical moment - but of God at work among us. "It was historical, because this is the first ordination ever in the Falkland Islands. There was a feeling of God at work, because the Bishop opened up the message to apply to all of us. It was great to be there!" He said the Cathedral congregation is grateful to Bishop Stephen for "taking time out from overseeing the Diocese of Canterbury to be with us." More on page 3. Picture: Reverend Sweeting, Bishop Venner and Reverend Biles.

Officers charged

TWO senior police officers have been charged with perverting the course of public justice following the investigation conducted by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service. Superintendent David Morris (57) and Detective Sergeant Jonathan Butler (34) appeared together in court on Wednesday. They entered no pleas to the charges and the case has been adjourned for five weeks. Witnesses could be called from the UK to attend proceedings. Around a dozen people gathered in the court to hear the charges read out. Both men are charged with the offence of doing acts tending and intended to pervert the course of public justice. This relates to the allegation that between August 15 and 27, 2005, serving officers in the Royal Falkland Islands Police were instructed by Superintendent Morris and Sergeant Butler to remove details from statements regarding the actions of a third officer, thereby suppressing evidence. Superintendent Morris is also charged with a second offence of doing acts tending and intended to pervert the course of public justice in March 2005. He is alleged to have brought pressure on a junior ranking police officer to terminate a police enquiry into an allegation of assault made against his son. Senior Magistrate Clare Faulds stated that she was hearing Wednesday's proceedings only in an "administrative" capacity and added, "I would not deal with any hearing itself." Both officers remain suspended from duty. They were released on bail with one condition attached, that they do not communicate (in relation to the offence for which they have been charged) either in person or through a third party with any witnesses or the co-accused. Prosecution Counsel Peter Cooke described the case as one of "sensitivity" and "importance to the community" and expressed a wish to work as "expeditiously as possible." In December, the government announced that the investigation undertaken by the team from the Metropolitan Police Service had so far cost the government £102,000. At the time, His Excellency the Governor, Mr Howard Pearce, said it was "essential" that the Falkland Islands should have a "properly functioning police force" and the public purse would have to meet the cost of the investigation. He added, "I am sure that people will understand that."

Appeals rejected

A NUMBER of rulings made by the Senior Magistrate have been upheld by the Chief Justice in the Supreme Court this week. Appeals were heard on Friday, January 20, from Quark Fishing Limited and Freiremar SA, respectively the charterers and owners of the Spanish-registered fishing vessel Ibsa Quinto.The appeals were made in respect of the conviction and sentence of, and orders for costs against, each of the two companies by the Senior Magistrate in April. The companies, which were found guilty of exceeding a licensed quota (or Total Allowable Catch - TAC) of toothfish, were each fined £40,000. The appeals were brought by Mr Fergus Randolph on three grounds: that the Senior Magistrate was wrong to conclude there had been overcatch of more than 15 tonnes in excess of the TAC, that the court was wrong in law to disregard the policy of the government of South Georgia in operating a margin of tolerance of 5% excess over the TAC before placing the papers before the Attorney General with a view to prosecution, and that it was an "abuse of process" that the existence of a "margin of tolerance" used by the Director of Fisheries was not disclosed until the trial. In upholding the judgement of the Senior Magistrate, Chief Justice James Wood commented, "This is a fishery with considerable commercial potential, giving rise to the possibility of substantial profits. "It is a regime difficult and expensive to police. It is a regime operated by the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands under the terms of an important national convention. It places the highest duty of care on those operating within the fishery to ensure that the conditions of the licence are complied with. "That did not occur here and I see no reason to upset the decision of the Senior Magistrate."

Williams appeal

The Chief Justice also upheld the Senior Magistrate's ruling at the September trial of Brian John Williams. Mr Williams was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault and jailed for a total of four years. Continued on page 3

Maxi's fund grows

AN account which has been OPENED to raise funds for Maxi Balladeres, who was injured in a road accident near North Arm two weeks ago, has so far accumulated £2,562. Fund co-coordinator Gary Clement has confirmed some funds have already been sent to Maxi's family in Chile. Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Roger Diggle yesterday said Maxi remains critically ill with, "no significant change in his condition since he first arrived in Montevideo." A fund-raising event in aid of Maxi and his family is taking place in the Defence Force Drill Hall on Saturday. The evening will include karaoke pledges to raise funds and there will be guest singers as well as mixed music for all ages. Organiser Johnny Clingham urges everyone to bring their family and friends to "support a worthy cause" and reminds all that it is a "bring your own refreshments" function.

This week's cruise chips

STANLEY welcomes the cruise ship Millenniumand her 1,950 passengers today. On Sunday, Explorer II will dock at FIPASS with 430 passengers while Europa(450 passengers) will anchor in Port William. Bremen (188) and Black Watch(807) will both visit Stanley on Wednesday, February 1.

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