Court Hands Down Jail Terms for False Statements

Two law enforcement officers will spend time behind bars after being convicted of perverting the course of justice. Today, a Senior Magistrate handed down sentences to BDF soldier Ramon Alberto Alcoser and police officer Juan Carlos Morales. Alcoser will serve one year and two months, while Morales faces one year and eleven months in prison. Both were found guilty last month for giving false statements in December 2021, an act the court said undermines the justice system. The Senior Magistrate explained that the offense carries up to five years in prison. Starting at four years, she adjusted the sentences after weighing aggravating and mitigating factors. While both men had strong character references, neither showed remorse. Their positions as law officers added to the seriousness of the crime. Pretrial detention was credited, reducing their time behind bars. The magistrate stressed that a custodial sentence was necessary, saying, “Perverting the course of justice strikes at the heart of the legal system.” Morales, who has been on suicide watch, became emotional in court and claimed new evidence proving a sergeant lied. The magistrate advised him to take the matter to the High Court. His attorney confirmed plans to appeal.