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A 16-year-old boy who had been held on remand at Dodds Prison since December 2025 has been released after the High Court ordered that he be granted bail in proceedings connected to a constitutional challenge against provisions of Barbados’ Bail Act.
The teenager, who denies firearm charges against him, is challenging the requirement that a person accused of certain firearm offences must demonstrate “exceptional circumstances” before bail can be granted. His case argues that the legislation does not define what qualifies as exceptional circumstances.
Attorney Lalu Hanuman, acting for the teenager through his mother, argued that the requirement had effectively prevented his client from obtaining bail despite several previous hearings.
Justice Bryan Weekes ordered the teenager released on $75,000 bail with two sureties. The State, represented by Deputy Solicitor-General Marsha Lougheed, had agreed to bail being granted on that amount. Other conditions included restrictions on his movements, surrender of travel documents and regular reporting to District ‘B’ Police Station.
The court was also told that the teenager had been housed at Dodds Prison rather than the Government Industrial School because, according to the State, the school was not equipped to accommodate him. The State also submitted that previous opposition to his release had included concerns about his safety.
Justice Weekes raised concerns about the length of time the teenager had been on remand without his legal adviser receiving full information about the evidence underlying the charge.
The teenager’s constitutional claim also seeks damages over his detention and alleges a breach of his right to personal liberty under Section 13 of the Barbados Constitution. The granting of bail does not by itself determine the outstanding constitutional claim, which remains before the court.
