A female allegedly responsible for the dumping a baby boy in Ravine Chabot, Castries on August 21, is still hospitalised according to Police Press Officer Aniel Innocent.

Innocent told St Lucia News Online (SNO) today, September, 8 that charges are expected to be laid against the female suspected to be in early 20’s, after her discharge from the Victoria hospital.

A source had told SNO, that the mother had been experiencing complications in relations to the alleged abortion prior to her admittance into the hospital.

The baby was discovered in a black plastic bag in the community.

The baby was transported to Victoria Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A number of persons have been assisting police with their investigation.

POLICE PRESS RELEASE - About 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 7, 2014, officers attached to the Babonneau Police Station had reason to stop and search the person of 38-year-old Nathan Mederick of Balata, Castries.

A search was also carried out on his motor vehicle registration number PD 566.

During the search, the officers recovered 2 magazine and 66 live rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Mederick was subsequently arrested for firearm offences and escorted to the Babonneau Police Station.

On Monday, September 8, 2014, a search warrant was executed at the premises of Mederick.

The officers recovered a 9mm pistol and a magazine containing 8 live rounds of ammunition. Mederick was then charged for Possession of Firearm and Possession of Ammunition.

Nathan Mederick made a court appearance at the First District Court in Castries on Monday, September 8, 2014.

Rodney Bay Marina.

POLICE PRESS RELEASE - Officers attached to the Gros Islet Police Station are reporting that they have made some progress into the investigation of a robbery at the IGY Marina Dry Dock in Rodney Bay which occurred on Sunday, August 17, 2014.

Officers have since arrested and charged Marcus Lafeuillet of Bagatelle Castries for the offence of Robbery. He appeared before the First District Court in Gros Islet on Monday, September 8, 2014.

Lafeuillet was bailed in the sum of one thousand dollars cash and two thousand dollars suitable surety. He was also ordered to surrender all travel documents and to report to the Marchand Police Station twice weekly.

It is alleged that three armed men dressed in polo shirts carrying the crest of the RSLPF, one of whom was wearing a bulletproof vest with the word “POLICE” written on it, robbed the IGY Marina Dry Docks located in Rodney Bay of approximately $10,000.00.

The armed bandits then made their escape using a white panel van registration number PK 219.

The matter is still being investigated.

Cannabis

POLICE PRESS RELEASE - About 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 7, 2014, officers attached to the Marine Unit of the southern division intercepted a French built fiberglass canoe, about 6 nautical miles southwest of Choiseul.

The vessel was boarded and a search was conducted on it, as well as its two male occupants. The officers discovered two large polythene bags containing what is suspected to be cannabis.

The men were arrested and subsequently charged for drug related offences on Monday, September 8, 2014. They are 26-year-old Garvin Emmanuel of Marigot and 42-year-old Ericson Leo of Jacmel, Anse La Raye.

The men are expected to make a court appearance at the Second District Court in Soufriere on Tuesday, September, 9, 2014.

A police officer is now in custody after allegedly assaulting a sergeant on Monday, Sept. 8 at the Rodney Bay Police Station where he was brought in for earlier assaulting a male civilian.

Reports are that an altercation occurred between the civilian and the police officer on the Reduit beach in which officers of the Rodney Bay Police Station had to intervene.

A police source confirmed that the officer then assaulted the civilian in the presence of the police and escalated to the point where his fellow officers asked him to come in and make an official statement.

However, it is alleged that the accused officer left the scene and returned to assault the civilian at the Rodney Bay station. When a sergeant intervened, the accused cop proceeded to assault the sergeant.

St. Lucia News Online will provide more information as soon as it becomes available.

Kiran Herman is in critical condition.

A man is currently in critical condition at hospital after sustaining stab wounds in Bishop Gap, Marchand, Castries this morning.

The victim, Kiran Herman, 29, of Bishop’s Gap, was stabbed by someone well-known to him at about 7:30 a.m.

Kiran’s cousin, Leah Herman, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the suspect slapped Keiran’s cousin, Natalie Herman, during a dispute.

Kiran came to his cousin’s aid and parted the fight, Leah added.

The cousin further reported that the suspect left the scene and returned later with a “ratchet” knife and proceeded to stab Kiran in the abdomen and under his arm.

Leah said the stabbing was pre-meditated and she hopes her cousin pulls through as he is now “battling for his life”.

Kiran, an employee of the Ministry of Infrastructure, is the father of a three-year-old daughter.

The suspect is also well-known to police and was the victim of a shooting in Hospital Road, Castries early 2013.

An investigation into the alleged extra-judicial killings of 12 persons by police officers, between 2010 and 2012 in an “Operation Restore Confidence” regime, is near completion.

Minister of Home Affairs and National Security Minister Phillip La Corbiniere made this announcement last evening on a live televised programme when asked for an update on the matter.

La Corbiniere revealed that 98 per cent of the report is completed by a team of police officials from Jamaica. He explained that the preliminary round of investigations was not as fruitful as expected and was the main reason for a delay in the entire report.

The minister stated that the team of investigators have requested from the Government of St. Lucia to provide clarification “on a couple of critical matters” before the report can be finalised and presented to the government. Once this is done, then the final touches will be made to the report.

The United States had used the incident to cut back on aid to St. Lucia. In August 2013, the United States officially informed the St. Lucia government that Washington had suspended assistance to the police force as a result of allegations of serious human rights violations.

A ban was also placed on all St. Lucian police officers, including its chief Vernon François, who was last year prevented from travelling to the United States to represent regional police commanders at a Conference of Black Police Officers in the United States.

Blood stains indicating where the male was stabbed.

A male has been hospitalised after he was stabbed in Castries town around 5 p.m. today.

Eyewitness say the man was stabbed in the neck opposite Regal Foods in front the Castries Parish Centre.

His condition is unknown at this time.

Blood stains on the sidewalk left a gruesome reminder of what took place.

More details later.

Kiran Herman showing his wounds.

A relative of a Bishop Gap’s man who sustained stab wounds yesterday, is not happy that the hospital has released him.

Kiran Herman, 29, sustained two stab wounds yesterday morning around 7:30 when he allegedly intervened in a dispute between his female cousin and a young man. He was admitted to Victoria Hospital in critical condition, according to relatives, but his condition stabilised later that same day.

Herman was discharged from Victoria Hospital this morning, Sept. 10 at about 9:30. However, a relative, speaking on condition of anonymity, said she is not happy that he was released so soon.

“VH (Victoria Hospital) has discharged Kiran from hospital, saying that there isn’t enough beds,” the relative said.

She said though Herman is now able to speak and move around, he is clearly still weak and in discomfort.

“We’re pissed and mad. That’s nonsense,” she said.

However, a source at Victoria Hospital said patients who are “out of the woods” are normally discharged.

“If you’re out of the woods, if your vital organs were not severely affected then the hospital would not keep you. Once the patient sticks to his/her medication and follows the doctor’s instructions they should be fine. Otherwise keeping them here when other serious critical patients are coming in daily, makes no sense,” the source explained.

However, the family is thankful that Kiran survived the incident. The family is also concerned that Kiran is being blamed for the stabbing.

“These people have been saying is five people that attack the guy (the suspect), that’s why he did the stabbing. If five people attack you, how comes you have no scratches or marks on your body. But don’t worry, what goes around, comes around. God is not asleep, he is awake,” a relative told St. Lucia News Online (SNO).

A young man is now in police custody in relation to the stabbing of another man in Bishop’s Gap, Marchand, Castries yesterday morning.

The Police Information Office said the suspect is expected to be charged today.

Reports are that the suspect turned himself into the police yesterday afternoon.

Kiran Herman, 29, of Bishop Gap’s, sustained two stab wounds when he intervened in a dispute between a female cousin and a man.

He was discharged from Victoria Hospital this morning.

Victoria Hospital

Three police officers investigating an accident were allegedly denied access to a patient at Victoria Hospital (VH) earlier this week.

A reliable security source described the situation as “ridiculous” but a hospital official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the nurse did the right thing.

The security source said at about 3 p.m. on that day, three officers – one in full uniform and the others in plain clothes – approached the ward desk.

One of the officers identified himself and the police station he is attached to and made his request. The nurse then asked for identification cards. The officer reportedly said he left his identification card, however he pointed out to the nurse that an officer in full uniform is with him.

“The nurses denied information, saying that anyone can be in police uniform so they need to see identification cards. How ridiculous is this?” the source asked.

The nurse reportedly used the recent robbery at the Rodney Bay Marina as an example. During that incident, the perpetrators posed as police officers though they were wearing polo shirts.

However, the officer reportedly told the nurse that a uniformed officer is with him. But she insisted they get identification cards and return.

“If it were bad boys, they would not ask ***,” the source added. “Only in St. Lucia.”

Embarrassed and frustrated, the officers left.

The source said on numerous occasions ordinary civilians trek in and out of the hospital without authorisation, even in the presence of security and nurses.

However, sources at VH told St. Lucia News Online that the nurse was right to uphold the policies of the hospital.

“It is admirable of the nurse to stand her ground. The hospital is aware that a few employees are not consistent with the policies and security standards of the institution but that nurse in particular is one of those who take their job seriously. No one should have access to the patient unless they can prove their identity and have a valid reason for wanting to see the patient.

“It is disappointing that officers are walking around without proper identification. Anyone can create a police uniform,” the hospital source added. “The nurse had every right.”

One of Florton’s stab wounds.

The mother of a teenage girl who was brutally stabbed by a male in Pavee, Castries over three months ago has expressed concern over the slow pace at which her daughter’s case is being handled.

Heather Charles told St Lucia News Online (SNO) recently that she has no confidence in the court system and believes that her daughter will not get the justice she deserves.

“They give me another date for court. I took the entire day off of work to deal with court and they called it off and give me a new date,” Charles related to SNO.

Charles said the delay in the court system is a major concern not only for her, but many St. Lucians.

Her daughter, Felicity Florton’s court hearing was scheduled for September 9, however due to unforeseen circumstances the matter was postponed to September 19.

According to Charles, Florton is in a much better condition; however because of the tubes in her lungs she is unable to attend school in this new academic term.

Charles said she is still faced with an EC$4,000 hospital bill and that no attempts have been made by the accused or his family to render any assistance.

The mother said she had been advised by officers dealing with the matter to take the bill to court, but explained that with the delay, she may not be able to receive any assistance in that regard.

Florton, a 15-year-old George Charles Secondary School student, was stabbed multiple times in Pavee, Castries by 18-year-old Stephon Joseph of Pavee, Castries on Thursday, June 12.

Joseph was released on bail on the basis of land surety for an attempted murder charge.

The men who were arrested. * Photos provided by RSLPF

POLICE PRESS RELEASE - On Saturday, September 13, 2014, officers attached to the Marine Unit of the Southern Division intercepted a pirogue named “Jah walks on water” about 1 nautical mile off Gros Piton, Soufriere.

The vessel was boarded and searched. At the time, there were two male occupants on board the vessel. During the search, the officers recovered three polythene bags containing what is suspected to be marijuana.

Both men were arrested and subsequently charged for possession of a controlled drug and possession with the intent to supply a controlled drug. They are Dave Francis and Mackay Antoine, both of Baron’s Drive, Soufriere.

The men appeared before the Second District Court in Soufriere on Monday, September 15, 2014. Bail was granted in the sum of $3,000.00 each on the charge of possession and $4,000.00 on the charge of possession with the intent to supply. They are also required to report to the Soufriere Police Station twice weekly and to surrender all travel documents.

They are expected to make another court appearance before the Second District Court in Soufriere on October 22, 2014.

The man who was hospitalised following a stabbing in Castries, is currently in stable condition, reliable sources have told St. Lucia News Online.

Darrel Thomas, 25, of Soufriere was stabbed near the Castries market Tuesday evening.

He was transported to hospital via ambulance.

Thomas reportedly sustained a small wound to the “lower left shoulder”.

A source at Victoria Hospital told SNO that Thomas is in “good condition”.

Kiran Herman

Police have charged two persons for assaulting 19-year-old Junior Combie, who is also charged for stabbing in relation to the same case.

Cousins Kiran Herman, 29, and Natalie Herman, 27, both of Bishop’s Gap, Castries, were charged with assaulting Combie, originally from Hospital Road, Castries but living at Marchand.

Combie was charged with  grievous harm in connection with the stabbing of Kiran on Sept. 9, 2014 at Bishop’s Gap. However, according to reliable sources, Combie has claimed that he was assaulted by the Herman family and resorted to self-defense – a claim the Herman family has denied.

Kiran and Natalie were both granted police bail and are scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 9.

The Herman family had alleged that on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at about 7:30 a.m. Natalie and Combie had a dispute in which Combie alleged slapped her. Kiran intervened and was stabbed twice. He was admitted at Victoria Hospital but released the following morning.

However, sources close to Combie claimed he was ganged by several members of the Herman family after he and Natalie, whom he once had a relationship with, had an argument.

The Herman family has denied this, stating that Combie has no injuries to prove he was ganged and beaten by the Hermans.

Donalyn Lesmond (left) is accused of shooting to death, Special Services Unit (SSU) police officer Lucas Lesmond (right) in 2012.

A highly-placed source at Victoria Hospital has confirmed that female prisoner Donalyn Lesmond, who has been hospitalised for the past two days, is suffering from endometrial hyperplasia – a condition unrelated to pregnancy complications.

This news comes as rumours spread that Lesmond, who is on remand at Bordelais Correctional Facility for killing her husband, a police officer, is pregnant and was hospitalised from complications related to a miscarriage.

The source said this is far from the truth, adding that Donalyn was initially brought to the Emergency Room about two days ago but has since been admitted on the ward.

Rumours that Donalyn was pregnant and had a miscarriage was also discussed on several popular radio talk shows with callers questioning the integrity of the prison officials. Female inmates are segregated from male inmates.

“Endometrial hyperplasia is the abnormal thickening of the lining of the uterus due to an increase in the number of endometrial glands. This disorder most often affects young women who are just beginning to menstruate and older women approaching menopause. In most cases endometrial hyperplasia is not a serious health risk,” the source explained, citing several sources on the Web.

“An overproduction of estrogen causes endometrial hyperplasia in young women. Unopposed estrogen replacement therapy (taking estrogen without progesterone) in postmenopausal women is associated with a higher incidence of endometrial hyperplasia. Young women who have just begun to menstruate, and women who have (or who have had) irregular menstrual cycles, are at greater risk for endometrial hyperplasia.

Symptoms of endometrial hyperplasia: Vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods or after menopause, heavy menstrual bleeding, periods that last longer than usual, pain during sexual intercourse, amenorrhea (absence of menstrual periods), and anovulatory periods (menstrual cycles without ovulation).

Donalyn is accused of shooting police officer Lucas Lesmond on Sept. 2, 2012 at about 5 a.m.

Lucas was shot in the face with his occupational firearm at the couple’s La Toc, Castries apartment.

Neighbours told reporters after the incident that they had witnessed fights and quarrels between the couple.

Donalyn has been on remand ever since. She recently participated in a calypso competition at the prison – an event criticised by relatives of Lucas.

Weapons seized from school children earlier this year.

Given the increasing number of student fights that have occurred over the past couple of weeks, there have been widespread discussions relating to this issue and what can be done to address it.

President of the St. Lucia Teachers Union (SLTU) Julian Monrose has added its voice and told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) yesterday that it requires a collective approach to curb this problem.

Monrose told SNO that everyone has to take responsibility for their child or children, but society also has a responsibility to ensure that they play a positive role in a child’s development.

“They have a role to play in helping to guide children in a positive direction,” he stated.

The SLTU president said the moral fabric is slowly deteriorating and must be taken more seriously.

“We need to train our children in such a way that they understand violence is not the answer,” Monrose told SNO.

While he acknowledged that efforts have been made to address this issue, the SLTU head asserted that more needs to be done by parents and guardians as well, not only to reduce violence, but bring an end to loitering.

Monrose also raised concerns over students walking with weapons in their school bags.

“A weapon is a threat to persons in the school or in the vicinity where the person is. We know that every school rule opposes that behaviour. They need to understand that behaviour is unacceptable,” he added.

Teachers, he explained, are already playing their part in helping to mold and guide students in a positive direction. However, it is left up to the individual pupil to accept the teaching or not to. The church also has a responsibility in helping to teach youth positive values and principles.

Education Minister Dr. Robert Lewis has told the media that the issue is one that requires serious attention and has since called for an end to loitering after school hours. The minister has suggested that while some of the children may not be involved in violent activities, as was witnessed over the past weeks, parents should give children a change of clothing if they have errands to conduct.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police Vernon Francois has also called for a holistic approach to the issue, especially as it relates to loitering. The top cop has suggested that a discussion between parents, teachers and law enforcement officials be initiated. Francois said hopefully the discussions will help to bring some resolution to the problem, as it cannot continue any longer.

Vendors and minibus drivers have been complaining that Castries is usually swamped with school children on a daily basis, but mostly on Fridays. They claim that the students would gather at the mini-bus parks and Constitution Park to lime, which most times end up with violent behaviour.

In June this year, the police said during 2013 and mid 2014, they confiscated a number of weapons from students at various primary and secondary schools within the education districts 1 to 3. The weapons included: 35 knives, 26 scissors, a 24-inch cutlass, eight metal eating forks and a piece of wood with a nail embedded in it and three four-inch penknives.

Other items found included a bottle of alcohol, several ounces of marijuana, a golf club, a live .380 bullet and a rope measuring 57 inches, which was intended to be used for committing suicide.

Dathorne

Director of Positive Reactions Over Secrets and Fears (PROSAF) Souyenne Dathorne said she would like to see greater change in how issues of sexual violence, particularly rape, are addressed in St. Lucia.

Dathorne’s comment comes on the heels of reports of increased cases of rape and sexual abuse on island.

The PROSAF director told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) in an exclusive interview that she would also like to see a greater understanding for the educational aspect on this topic, especially among students, counselors and teachers.

“St. Lucia has to begin to see sexual violence as a serious problem and to want to make a change. We have trained individuals willing to offer their expertise, willing to work with government and various agencies; we need to stop being territorial,” she told SNO.

Dathorne believes there is need for more awareness, more education, better training, more resources, more support, more validation, greater justice, better policy and more rehabilitation regarding sexual abuse.

“Sexual violence is about power and sex. It damages the people who have to live with the memories and after-effects of it. How many more have to be raped, killed and hurt themselves, before we take it seriously?’ she questioned.

Youth Minister Shawn Edward, during the opening of the Youth Centre and the Dennery Hospital, had admitted to high incidence of rape in his constituency, Dennery. Edward had pointed out that his constituency not only has the highest number of reported cases of rape, but incest.

The Royal St. Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), in its mid-year report, revealed that there was a slight decrease in sexual offenses and a significant increase in the detection rate of 63 per cent. But, the PORSAF director believes that number could be much higher, given the stigma that is attached to victims, who most times do not report incidence of rape or sexual abuse.

Dathorne told SNO that there also needs to be a change in the concept that,“what happens behind closed doors is none of my business.” She reminded that it takes a community to raise a child, yet when things of this nature happens, people tend to pay a blind eye to the situation.

She further pointed out that there needs to be a greater understanding and a more tolerant culture where survivors could feel supported and believed. “If we constantly pick the side of the abuser, survivors will remain quiet, knowing that speaking out will yield no results,” she added.

The sexual abuse prevention advocate told SNO that she doesn’t believe there are enough social programmes that encourage victims to speak out without being stigmatised. Starting with educational programmes aimed at educating the youth on boundaries and respect, she said could produce results.

“There needs to be more in-depth conversations with the youth so we can begin to understand why they view and react to things in a specific way,” she explained.

The PROSAF director is also calling for more support groups to be made available for survivors of sexual violence, both male and female, and managed by trained individuals.

Floyd’s vehicle before it was stripped.

A La Clery woman is now without a vehicle after it was allegedly stripped and sold by her mechanic about four month ago.

According to Misty Floyd, what started out as a simple problem under the hood of her Toyota Rav-4 vehicle, has now become a living nightmare.

The distraught woman related her story to St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today, stating that the issue first began in May of this year when her vehicle stalled on the Morne in Castries and began overheating.

At that point, she explained that an acquaintance of hers recommended a mechanic to assist her with the vehicle.

“I made contact with him and he came to check the vehicle on the Morne where it had stopped and told me that it was a minor issue and that he knew of a place to source the part needed to fix the problem,” she added.

Floyd said she then placed her vehicle in the care of the mechanic, who then towed her vehicle to his workshop in Dierre Fort,  on the Morne to commence work.

The La Clery woman said during a period of two weeks, she had given the mechanic a total of EC$900 to complete works on her vehicle and to return it to her.

However, the mechanic called to inform her that the engine need to be repaired and he was going to look in to it. She agreed.

“At that point, through a close relative, I provided him with all the parts needed to commence works on the engine. The sparks, the plugs and the engine oil,” she told SNO.

Under the assumption that engine works require a lengthier period, Floyd said it did not dawn on her, when time went by, that something was wrong.

Attempts to contact the mechanic became a challenge after that, the La Clery woman said. She explained that the issue continued well into the August, and despite attempts to locate the mechanic, the search remained futile.

“When we finally found him he gave us some cock and bull story saying that someone had crashed their vehicle with a Rav-4, so he managed to finally get an engine and he would have installed it; that’s what he told me,” she related to SNO.

Floyd said at that point she had expressed disgust and had asked him to immediately return the vehicle to her regardless of what was left to do, but the vehicle was never returned.

“Eventually I took matters into my own hand and I went up to where he lives, and I am there speaking to the guy’s brother and was told that he (the mechanic) had been in and out of jail for stripping peoples vehicle and selling it for parts,” Floyd told SNO.

Floyd said when she opened the vehicle, the transmission, the engine, the rear axle, the cable, among other parts, were missing.

“The vehicle was missing so many parts that it was a bare shell,” she added.

Floyd said she then contacted the police to make a report, but was told by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) that it was a civil matter and nothing can be done about the issue. Floyd was later advised to seek the assistance of the vehicle and patrol authorities.

However, she stated that they can only look into the matter if they know of the mechanic’s whereabouts, but to date, she has not been able to locate him.

“He is not at the address I knew, where he used to work and live, so I was not able to assist the police in locating him.”

Floyd said she feels victimised, but is hopeful she can receive some justice.

A Morne du Don man is the latest victim of a stabbing that occurred on West Hall Street, behind the building that  formerly housed Gaiety Cinema, at about 4:20 pm today.

According to reports reaching St Lucia News Online (SNO) the man has been identified as Michael Felix.

Police officials confirmed that Felix was stabbed to the right side of his chest. He was  transported to the Victoria Hospital via ambulance for treatment.

The circumstances which may have led to his stabbing is still unclear at this time.

Just last evening, another man identified as Darrel Thomas, 25, of Soufriere, was stabbed near the Castries market. Thomas reportedly sustained a small stab wound to the lower left shoulder.

A source at Victoria Hospital had told SNO that Thomas is in stable condition.