12°c Light rain showers
7°c Cloudy with showers
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Trinidad TV host given fine but no jail for airing video that identified rape victim
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad - The host of a popular crime show in Trinidad received a fine but no jail time Tuesday for airing a video of a sexual assault that authorities said illegally revealed the identity of the teenage victim.
Ian Alleyne was ordered to pay nearly $4,700 by Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Ceasar, who rejected a defence request to spare him from any punishment. She said the host should have been aware that he was violating the law even though he apparently was trying to help solve the crime by showing the video to viewers of his nightly "Crime Watch" show.
"Ignorance of the law is no excuse and the girl will have to live with the stigma," Ayers-Ceasar said.
Alleyne had pleaded guilty to three counts of violating the sexual offences act, a section of which prohibits identifying victims of sexual assault. He said after the sentencing that he accepted the decision and would pay the fine.
"There was never any malicious intent on the part of my client," defence attorney Om Lalla said. Alleyne, he added, is "contrite, sorry and remorseful and had learned his lesson; his guilt was caused by over-zealousness."
The host, whose program appears on local station CCN TV6, has portrayed himself as a crusader against crime and corruption at a time when the twin island southern Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago has struggled with both. His show has resulted in a number of arrests and supporters tried to block police as he was taken into custody and briefly detained in April 2012. Fans have also gathered outside the court during his appearances.
Alleyne broadcast the video showing the rape of a 13-year-old girl on three successive nights in October 2011. He never said who made the video or how he obtained it. The victim's face was partially obscured but authorities said enough was visible that people could determine her identity. One man was arrested after a viewer recognized one of the alleged assailants. That suspect has not gone to trial.
The company that owns CCN TV faces three counts of violating the sexual offences act as well as violations to telecommunications law. It has denied wrongdoing and is fighting the charges.
More TV
- Back to Top
- Return to TV
More TV
(1 of 47 articles for this week)
'Dancing With the Stars' pro Derek Hough looks to balance outside opportunities with the show
10:41 AM 0
Poll
Most Popular TV
- Traditional TV season becoming outdated before your eyes
- TV Listings
- 'Dancing With the Stars' pro Derek Hough looks to balance outside opportunities with the show
- He's been taking funny seriously for 60 years
- Avoiding spoilers new skill in today's Internet TV world
- Tune in Tuesdays to see new look of ABC
- TV Blog Buzz: 'Amazing Race Canada' spoilers leaking, 'The Office' shuts down
- CBS fall lineup: minor tweaks but no big changes
- Idol finale ratings drop to record low
- Pop Forecast's got problems
- Actor Simon Helberg says to expect cliffhanger from 'Big Bang Theory' finale
- Traditional TV season becoming outdated before your eyes
- CBS fall lineup: minor tweaks but no big changes
- Tune in Tuesdays to see new look of ABC
- ABC adds 14 new shows for the 2013-14 season; 'Dancing With the Stars' cut to 1 night
- NBC's 'The Office' ends its 8-year run capturing the comic life of wage slaves selling paper
- TV Listings
- Get ready to re-program your PVRs, TV fans
- TV news veteran Barbara Walters retiring from on-air television next year
- 'American Idol' finale audience drops to record low, reflecting show's declining popularity
- ND television co-anchor opens his first newscast with profanity, tweets Monday he was fired
- 'Young and the Restless' star Jeanne Cooper dies at 84
- Winnipegger's video could net $10K from Ellen
- Actor Simon Helberg says to expect cliffhanger from 'Big Bang Theory' finale
- Controversy swirls over Jillian's win on the first-ever 'Big Brother Canada'
- Traditional TV season becoming outdated before your eyes
- Y&R broadcasting tribute to Cooper
- Not Howe... why?: Winnipeg-shot story about beloved hockey legend misses the net by a mile
- TV Listings
- NBC appoints Seth Meyers as Jimmy Fallon's late-night replacement; premiere date not yet set
- Actor Simon Helberg says to expect cliffhanger from 'Big Bang Theory' finale
- 'Entourage' star Jeremy Piven plays famed London retailer Harry Selfridge in new PBS series
- ABC adds 14 new shows for the 2013-14 season; 'Dancing With the Stars' cut to 1 night
- Actor Gregory Smith tries his hand behind the camera on 'Rookie Blue'
- 'Young and the Restless' star Jeanne Cooper dies at 84
- ND television co-anchor opens his first newscast with profanity, tweets Monday he was fired
- 'The Young and the Restless' to air tribute to its late leading lady, Jeanne Cooper, on May 28
- Actor Simon Helberg says to expect cliffhanger from 'Big Bang Theory' finale
- Y&R broadcasting tribute to Cooper
- A scandal that became part of pop culture
- Winnipegger's video could net $10K from Ellen
- Controversy swirls over Jillian's win on the first-ever 'Big Brother Canada'
- ABC News veteran Barbara Walters to announce her retirement on Monday's edition of 'The View'
- 'Entourage' star Jeremy Piven plays famed London retailer Harry Selfridge in new PBS series
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.