The wheels of justice are being affected by officious 'trials' said to be initiated by dons, especially in inner-city communities.

THE STAR has observed that a number of complainants often reveal to the courts that they do not wish to proceed with trials as "the don sey wi fi done wid it".

"Many cases before the courts have severely been affected due to the informer culture, persons are often threatened by persons in their communities who often turn judge and jury," one clerk of court in St Catherine said.

own investigations

THE STAR was told that sometimes if complainants do not heed the don's orders, they are often beaten and even banished from the area.

"We have seen where after you investigate a case and send it to the court, criminals just start their own investigations, intimidate and force persons to drop cases," a senior officer from the St Catherine North police said.

He said it's a very sad occurrence and that affected persons cannot even talk about it sometimes, which simply makes it a waste of the court's time.

"Until we are able to trust the police, we just have to do as we are told, oftentimes the police feel it's a waste of time to collect wi statements and seh it naw go nowhere," Margarite Chambers, a resident of Spanish Town in the parish, told THE STAR.

Meanwhile, several persons said it is a service and the dons are a necessary evil; however, legislation is needed to deal with this problem.