FOR the second time in just over two years, a convicted rapist has secured a favourable ruling from the Court of Appeal.

The appellate court on November 13, upheld the appeal of Orlando Ambrose, also called Orlando Alexis, against convictions and sentences imposed following three plea bargaining agreements. The court also provided crucial clarification on how plea agreements should be treated under the law.

Justices Prakash Moosai, Gillian Lucky and Vasheist Kokaram unanimously ruled that trial judge, Justice Kathy Ann Waterman-Latchoo, erred in law by deviating from the starting points, agreed upon in the plea agreements, entered between the state and the defence.