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A man who spent more than 14 years on remand for a murder charge that was ultimately dismissed has signalled his intention to sue the State for damages, alleging wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution.

In a pre-action protocol letter sent to the Attorney General, attorneys for Jameel Deleon of Ayoub Trace, Rio Claro, outlined their client’s intention to bring High Court proceedings against the Attorney General. He is represented by Ramesh Deena and Christian Deena.

According to the letter, Deleon was arrested on October 8, 2007, and charged with the murder of Christopher Lovelace. He appeared before the Rio Claro Magistrates’ Court on October 10, 2007, where the charge was laid indictably. The attorneys contend that, at no stage during the investigation, was Deleon identified as the person who stabbed Lovelace, nor was an identification parade conducted.