Ex-cop released on bail in face of appeal

(CNS): Following the filing of an appeal by his attorney against the sentence passed by Justice Alex Henderson last Friday, Rabe Welcome has been released from HMP Northward pending the outcome of that appeal. Welcome was convicted by a jury in June this year of wounding after breaking a man’s arm during an early morning arrest while off-duty. Found to have crossed the line of reasonable force when he beat the victim who had committed an arrestable offence, the former police officer was sentenced to six months. Having served less than one week, however, Welcome was released Thursday following an application to the court. (Image courtesy of Cayman 27)

The incident took place almost three and a half years ago and Welcome was suspended from duty until the trial; following his conviction Welcome was sacked. Although this was Welcome’s first offence and there was no other evidence of any disciplinary action against the former cop and one time customs officer, the judge jailed Welcome as he said it was important to send a message that the use of excessive force by a law enforcement officer would not be tolerated.

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