Alleged serial killer Delano Forbes – currently on trial for escaping police custody in 2018 – told All Saints Magistrates Court on Wednesday that he was in fact handed the keys to his footcuffs by a police officer.
The 25 year-old was on the run for almost a month after being charged with the 2017 murders of Wilfred ‘Bongo’ Williams, Shawn Henry and Lisue ‘Dirty’ Williams.
Forbes was dubbed the ‘Vampire Killer’ after police alleged that he drank the blood of his victims.
He was reportedly in the custody of Corporal Gred Grell, and other officers, on February 12 2018 being carried through bushes in Swetes Village, the scene of one of his alleged crimes.
The multi-murder accused, represented by lawyer Sherfield Bowen, told the court that Corporal Grell informed him that he was being released due to a lack of evidence.
The officer however refuted the claims saying that Forbes jumped over a high cliff and disappeared. Corporal Grell said the escarpment was too high for him to jump and give chase.
The officer will be questioned by Bowen when the trial resumes on August 27.
After weeks on the run, Forbes was eventually recaptured in a pump house at Follies on the night of March 9 2018.
He was subsequently charged with the murder of 62-year-old Matthews Village resident, Maurison Thomas.
The matters involving Thomas and Wilfred Williams were committed to the High Court by Magistrate Ngaio Emmanuel Edwards on Wednesday. The other two had been previously committed.