The AG sheds more light on Martin Lee Crump’s case and his possible return to the UK

By Aabigayle McIntosh

The Lower House of Parliament has approved amendments to the Mutual Assistance Matters Bill.

Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin told legislators yesterday that the decision was influenced by the rape conviction of former UK cop Lee Martin Crump.

Lee Martin-Cramp, who was sentenced in 2019, had been found guilty of raping a foreign student in May 2015 while attending a family wedding in Antigua.

The court heard how Martin-Cramp exploited his position as a police officer to gain the trust of his victim before committing the crime.

“How can this man be up there at the Naval Base and the normal prisons are here? Those were the conditions upon which he came back to Antigua. We could not breach the court order made in England, he came, he was tried, and was convicted. Now his sentence is continuing,” Benjamin said.

During Monday’s sitting the AG also discussed facts about the case and ventilated concerns by members of the public about the preferential treatment that has been extended to Crump.

He also revealed that the convict may have to return to the UK to serve out the rest of his sentence.

“There are provisions in law where he can return to England and spend the rest of his sentence in prison in England, but the choice is his to make.

“He is reluctant to do so because I am told in England, he will be meeting his police friends and he does not want to pursue it and go back to England”, Benjamin said.

The Attorney General emphasized that if Martin-Cramp unreasonably refuses to consent to his return to the UK, there may be no alternative but to enforce the transfer, notwithstanding concerns about breaching any agreement terms.

“He may have to return,” the Attorney General insisted, highlighting the potential necessity of such action.