Harold Crooks convicted of indecent assault

Former Commander of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) Harold Crooks has been convicted of the indecent assault of a 14-year-old girl.

This after a jury retired for more than an hour today (July 4) and returned a guilty verdict, on 2 counts of the crime.

Crooks appeared in the St. Catherine Circuit Court in relation to sexual offence charges, before Justice Bertram Morrison.

The court was told that in May 2010, Crooks sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl.

The matter was reported to the police.

When the matter was being investigated, Crooks fled the island.

He was held at the Ocho Rios Pier in St. Ann, after he reportedly jumped from a cruise ship into the sea, in a bid to escape police.

The former Commandant was charged with carnal abuse and two counts of indecent assault.

Today, the jury convicted Crooks on the 2 assault charges, but found him not guilty on the carnal abuse charge.

Justice Morrison extended Crooks $500,000 bail, until he returns to court for sentencing.

Crooks will be sentenced on Friday, July 20.