The Department of Public Prosecutions has confirmed it is actively seeking the extradition of a cruise ship worker to Bermuda, to face prosecution
The Department of Public Prosecutions has confirmed it is actively seeking the extradition of a cruise ship worker to Bermuda, to face prosecution.
A female passenger made a complaint that she had been raped her in her cabin, in August of last year.
The incident is said to have occurred aboard the Queen Anne, a Bermuda-registered vessel, while it was sailing in international waters. According to court documents, the ship’s captain stated that when he was made aware of the complaint, at around 7.30pm when the ship was in international waters between Iceland and Scotland.
Bermuda seeks his return to face a sexual assault charge.
As we reported yesterday, High Court judges in the UK allowed Bermuda’s appeal and the matter must now be sent to the Home Secretary to decide whether to order extradition.
Director of Public Prosecutions Cindy Clarke has welcomed the High Court’s decision and says it’s an important step towards securing the accused’s return to Bermuda to answer the allegation against him.
She added, however, that the extradition process has not yet concluded.
Quote: “We remain committed to ensuring that allegations of serious criminal offending are properly investigated and, where there is sufficient credible evidence and it is in the public interest, prosecuted.
“The fact that an alleged offence occurred in international waters does not diminish our commitment to ensuring that those accused of criminal wrongdoing are brought before the courts, while respecting their right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence.”
Timeline
In September 2025, the DPP department formally requested the accused extradition from the United Kingdom.
That request was advanced by the UK authorities before Westminster Magistrates’ Court. In May 2026, the District Judge declined to order his extradition on a point of law.
The decision was appealed to the UK’s High Court of Justice.
Following a hearing on 27 October 2026, the High Court delivered its judgment on 2 November 2026, allowing the appeal and overturning the District Judge’s decision.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court will hear the case and issue a direction that it be referred to the Secretary of State for the Home Department for a determination on the extradition.
Ms Clarke concluded,” Bermuda’s criminal jurisdiction is not confined exclusively to offences physically committed on our shores.
“Where Bermuda law confers jurisdiction over offences committed aboard Bermuda-registered vessels, we will take the necessary and appropriate steps to pursue prosecutions, including seeking extradition where required.”
