Assistant Commissioner David Mirfield - The Bermuda Police Service respects the decision of the court; this has been a difficult case from the outset but one that has always passed the prosecution threshold. We remain confident that the decision to prosecute was right when all of the evidence was taken into account.

While the DPP has the lead for witness protection we work alongside them to make sure every effort is made to give witnesses the reassurance they need to stand in court and give evidence. On this occasion the witness failed to attend court, and while I will make no comment as to why, or as to whether the witness was in any programme, an issue that the legislation prevents me from doing, what I will say is, we have seen significant results over the past year where witnesses have provided valuable evidence in the Supreme Court.

The Bermuda Police Service and Justice Protection Administration Centre, will work together to try and allay witnesses fears to ensure that best evidence is provided to the court in as secure an environment as possible.