Donalyn Lesmond (right) and Lucas Lesmond.

The Bordelais Correctional Facility (BCF) has responded to reports of a female inmate who received treatment at the Victoria Hospital for a miscarriage.

In a press statement yesterday, the institution declared that the report is false and that there are strict guidelines by which they operate which ensure that such an incident may never occur.

“The facility categorically disassociates itself from allegations leveled at the BCF, which allude to a female remand detainee having been recently pregnant or having miscarried a pregnancy,” the statement said.

The intuition reiterated that males and females are segregated and that male correctional officers are not permitted to enter the female residential area nor are they detailed to work on the female unit.

“The institution engages strict procedures to ensure that there is minimal contact among the female and male population of the prison. The female unit by its very design and physical location stands as a separate, secured unit on the compound,” it added.

According to the institution, the inmate had been scheduled for treatment at Victoria Hospital and was simply admitted and supervised by police officers in keeping with normal procedure. It was explained that there is a health care centre located at the Bordelais Correctional Facility which is staffed by two registered nurses and four health aides.

However there are situations which require referrals to the Dennery, St. Jude and Victoria hospitals or the National Mental Wellness Centre, as the case may be.

The institution said it is responsible for the health needs and requirements of inmates are adequately addressed, and the inmate was therefore referred to the Victoria Hospital.

A source at the Victoria Hospital had told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the female prisoner identified as Donalyn Lesmond was suffering from endometrial hyperplasia. This condition is unrelated to pregnancy complications.

Rumours that Donalyn was pregnant and had a miscarriage were also discussed on several popular radio talk shows with callers questioning the integrity of the prison officials.

Lesmond is on remand for killing her husband, police officer Lucas Lesmond in 2012.

A bus driver was robbed in Forestieree at about 5:00 this morning.

The driver has been identified as Phillip ‘Sonny’ John, 54, of Forestieree, who operates a minibus in that community.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) was told by relatives that John was about to make his first trip when he was attacked by three armed bandits.

As he was about to enter his minibus in front of his yard, the bandits went up to him and demanded that he step out of the vehicle. He was then robbed of an undisclosed sum of cash, his cellular phone and the keys to his minibus and house.

According to reports, two of the bandits were armed with guns and one with a shotgun. During the robbery, the driver received injuries to his head. He was taken to the Victoria Hospital for treatment.

Lucius Francis

A man died after he was stabbed in Patterson’s Gap, Castries around 1:30 this morning.

He has been identified as 27-year-old Lucius ‘Jerry’ Francis of Rockhall, Marchand.

It is alleged that Francis was stabbed during a fight with a friend of a relative. The incident took place near the home of the victim’s father.

Police have one person in custody assisting with the investigations.

Francis was an employee of Pan American Life Insurance Group.

The road in Union where armed robbers lurk.

Residents from a section of Union have called for sustained police presence following a series of armed robberies on the road between KM 2 Solutions and the Dame Pearlette Louisy Primary School in the community.

Reports are that between Sept. 13 and 19, at least six persons, including KM 2 Solutions employees, were robbed of money and other valuables by two males, one armed with a gun and the other with a knife. Robberies have also taken place in the past.

Luckily, the victims were not harmed.

A resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “Two girls were robbed on the 13th (of September). Other people were robbed in the week of their phones and money.

The resident said the culprits usually hang out next to the school.

“All they say is pass it,” the source said.

The robbers are very bold, according to residents. They commit the crimes at any time of the day.

“They don’t hide.”

“At least have some police presence there,” one resident requested of the authorities. “Mostly on mornings, Monday to Saturdays.”

Police are investigating a shooting incident in La Caye, Dennery in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

The victim, Dwayne Charles, was shot at about 1:50 a.m.

Charles is currently in stable condition at hospital.

Police arrested a man at about 7 p.m. Saturday in connection with the incident.

Reports are that the suspect was caught with two rounds of ammunition.

Abbott

Investigators have still not recovered a firearm which was believed to be in the possession of a police officer when he crashed in Vieux Fort last month.

PC280 Allen ‘Randy’ Abbott, 40, of Grand Ravine, Dennery, who was attached to the Special Service Unit (SSU), was pronounced dead at St. Jude Hospital after his motorcycle collided with a minibus at about 12:50 a.m. on Monday, August 25 on the Laborie/Vieux Fort Highway.

His pillion rider, Johanna Dominic, 40, of La Resource, Vieux Fort, survived.  The bus was driven by 49-year-old Marcus Mathurin of Cedar Heights, Vieux Fort.

During the accident, Abbott’s service firearm, a Glock, which carries 17 rounds of ammunition, went missing.

Police sources say investigations so far have yielded no clues as to the whereabouts of the cop’s firearm. No one has so far admitted seeing a firearm at the scene.

An amnesty is being offered to anyone who returns the firearm voluntarily.

“They will not be prosecuted once they return it soon,” the source added.

However, if anyone is arrested for the possession of the firearm, the full force of the law will be applied, the source said.

“If you bring the firearm in, no problem, but if we investigate and find it in your possession, you will be prosecuted. No question about that,” the source said.

A person can be fined up to $25,000 or be imprisoned for up to 20 years if found guilty for the possession of a firearm without a license.

A home in Laguere, Babonneau was robbed Saturday night of cash, jewelry and a cell phone while a mother and daughter slept.

Celelia Cadette, 47, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today that her daughter Shirlon Anthony arrived home from a youth meeting at about 10:30 pm on Saturday, September 20, 2014. Cadette said she was feeling extremely dizzy, so she rubbed her head and went to sleep on the couch after locking her doors and putting her new cell phone to charge.

When Anthony woke at about 3 a.m. and tried to reach for the phone she realised that the phone was no longer connected to the ch‎arger. Cadette said it was at that point she told her daughter “aa somebody take the phone”. She said her daughter insisted no one intruded and that Cadette had misplaced the phone.

Cadette said she then went to her room to check on her bag and realised that EC$1,500 along with US$68 and her “keep-sake” coins that she kept in her purse were gone. She then pulled a drawer where she keeps her jewelry and noticed that two gold chains were missing.

Cadette is convinced that the intruder entered from an extremely high opening in the roof and must have sprayed some kind of substance in her home which prevented both her and her daughter from hearing a sound.

She is very concerned as to who may have done this as she claims this is the second time her home was invaded while her family slept, first being in 2011. Cadette wants her items returned especially her Samsung Galaxy cell phone which was given to her two days earlier by her employer.
Police are currently investigating the matter and Cadette urges anyone with information to please contact the nearest police station.

Lucius Francis

Homicide at Patterson’s Gap - Officers attached to the Criminal Investigations Department are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal stabbing of 27-year-old Lucius Francis of Rockhall, Castries.

It is alleged that about 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2014, Lucius was involved in an altercation with a male, after attending a social activity at Patterson’s Gap. As a result of that altercation, Francis sustained multiple stab wounds and was transported to Victoria Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

A post mortem is scheduled for Monday, September 22, 2014. A male is currently in custody assisting police with their investigations.

Suicide at Marisule - About 4:45 p.m. on Friday, September 19, 2014, officers attached to the Gros Islet Police Station received a report of a suspected suicide at Marisule, Gros Islet.

Collymore

Upon arrival, the officers observed a male suspended by a rope from a tree. The male was subsequently transported to the Gros Islet Poly Clinic where he was pronounced dead.

This individual was later identified as 44-year-old Vincent “Ras” Collymore of Marisule. Collymore was last seen earlier that day by family members. A post mortem examination is scheduled for a later date.

An investigation into the matter continues.

A female allegedly responsible for dumping the body of a baby boy in Ravine Chabot, Castries on August 21 was released from hospital, Police Press Officer Aniel Innocent has said.

Innocent told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today, September, 22 that the female, who is in early 20’s, is currently assisting police with the investigations.

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

The baby was discovered in a black plastic bag in the community and was transported to Victoria Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police are expected to lay charges against her.

A resident of Forestiere who was recently robbed by three armed bandits said he is fearful of being attacked again.

Phillip “Sonny” John was robbed of cash, the keys to his house and minibus, and a cellular phone on Friday, September 19.

John told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) in an interview today that he never expected that he would have been robbed, but the situation has made him more alert.

In recounting the ordeal, John told SNO that at about 5:00a.m on Friday morning, as he was preparing to leave his home for work, the three gunmen approached him and demanded that he remain silent.

He said one of the bandits went on to hit him on his head using a gun. “They told me to lie down and took my hands and tied it with my belt, “he explained.

John said one of the bandits then proceeded to push his hands in his pocket and took away his money and cellular phone. The bandits then placed John to lie flat on the ground and used a piece of rope to tie his legs and asked for the keys to his house.

After taking the keys, they then placed a rag in his mouth. The bandits escaped, leaving John at the back of the yard tied up and gagged.

John who has been living in Forestiere for some 20 years or more recalled that a few years back, his home was invaded by bandits. However, they did not manage to get any valuables and escaped by foot.

He told SNO that there have been a few reports within the Forestiere community, of break and enters and stealing. John said this issue needs to be addressed by the authorities.

John has changed all the locks to his house and placed a protection on his vehicle until he can get a replacement key.

“I don’t trouble people. I am working and hustling. Leave me alone nah man. If you all want money go and work. If its marijuana you want go and rob somebody who got money.”

John who occupied the home alone now has the company of a nephew. His family lives overseas.

PRESS RELEASE - On Thursday 18th, September 2014, Magistrate Robert Innocent of the Second District Court found Miss Maureen Fontinelle of the United Kingdom guilty under Section 471 of the Criminal Code of St. Lucia.

Miss Fontinelle was found guilty of three (3) offences of using and interfering with property without authority and asked to pay EC$500.00 for each offence.

Miss Fontinelle’s conviction came about as a result of a legal suit brought by the State for her involvement in the removal and attempts to reprint three (3) signs which belonged to the Soufriere Foundation.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Soufriere Foundation, Walter Francois, “The verdict should be a lesson to Maureen that she cannot do as she so pleases in this country. This country has laws and she must operate within its limits. He added, “In only a rogue and lawless country would Maureen be allowed to get away with her actions in this matter.”

The signs which cost over EC$5,000.00 were removed on June 26, 2014 at various locations around Soufriere.

The court ruling serves as an initial victory for the Soufriere Foundation who seek to have closure over the operational dispute at the Tet Paul Nature Trail.

In the next month the organization will be going to the civil court for compensation for the cost of the signs and legal cost.

Cedolf Hunte.

A Ciceron man was remanded to the Borelais Correctional facility today after being charged with the murder of Guyanese national Cedolf Hunte.

Ryan Henry, who was slapped with the capital offense, is expected to make another court appearance on October 10.

Cedolf Hunte, 34, also known as ‘Body’, of Ciceron, was attacked by four masked men on Saturday, August 30 whilst playing cards with friends in the community.

A post mortem examination conducted on the body of a Guyanese man revealed that he died from hemorrhagic shock secondary to stab wounds.

Hunte’s stepmother Rufina Francis had told St Lucia News Online (SNO) that she believes the issue stemmed from Hunte’s confrontation with persons who was allegedly responsible for the break-and-enter of a van he drove sometime late last year.

Hunte was a construction worker and was living in St. Lucia for about seven years before his death.

The bag used to pack the items.

Two male bandits invaded the home of a Grand Riviere, Gros Islet family Tuesday afternoon, leaving with two pieces of gold jewelry and several chops about their bodies.

Maria James told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that she and her daughters, a 14-year-old and two-year-old, had just arrived home at about 5 p.m Tuesday when the family was attacked.

James said her husband had locked the gates and was taking a few bags up the steps when he was confronted by one of the bandits, who had a gun in his possession.

The distraught woman told SNO that the gunman came up behind her husband and pushed him inside the house and told them “nobody moves.”

According to her the other bandit was hiding downstairs, and within minutes, came to the front door and was keeping watch. Both men were dressed in black and covered their faces with t-shirts.

They demanded that her husband take off his ring and her 14 -year-old daughter take off her earring. They complied and the bandits placed it in their pockets.

“My children were like crying and terrified because he was pointing the gun at my children and me. He then demanded us to give up all the cash and asking for gold,” she explained.

The family’s wine cabinet which was ransacked by the bandits.

James said she told the bandits that they didn’t have any cash in the house. The bandits then demanded that the family bring out all the valuables, including tablets and other electronics.

He even proceeded to take out a few bottles of liquor from her cabinet and placed it in a bag. If that wasn’t enough, the bandits even demanded that James’ husband take off his shoes.

After packing the bag, one of the bandits took James’ husband with him to search the bedroom. It was at this point that James’ husband was able to defend his family.

James said her husband reached for a cutlass that he usually keeps underneath their mattress and dealt him a few chops about his body.

“My husband always has a cutlass under his mattress. When he started chopping him, he (the bandit) ran outside and ran over the other bandit,” according to the Grand Riviere woman.

James related that her husband moved swiftly behind him, but he ran away. He even dealt the other bandit a few chops and one major one to his back. Both bandits escaped by foot.

The police responded within minutes, but by then the bandits were nowhere close to the premises. The police will be searching for fingerprints on the bottles of rum that were left behind.

The distraught woman said the bandits were chopped so severely that they may need to seek medical attention. The police are hoping that they do, so that they can have them arrested.

Asked how she feels about the entire situation, James said: “That is so terrifying. I can’t even sleep. I never expected something like that would happen. I have to seek some counseling for my teenage daughter, she is very terrified.”

James told SNO that the community is not usually known to have robberies, but rumours have been circulating that people are being robbed almost several times a day at Union Road.

The Grand Riviere family is thankful that they were not hurt, especially their children. They are hopeful that the bandits will be brought to justice.

Aniel Innocent.

St. Lucia has recorded 24 homicides so far this year with five resulting in deaths caused by stabbing, Police Press Officer Aniel Innocent told St Lucia News Online (SNO) in a recent interview.

According to Innocent, the figure is not alarming since the Royal St Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has recorded a number of stabbing over the years, which has now become a common trend.

“It is not something to worry about because in the past years we had a number of stabbing cases and it has become a trend. Persons will find whatever means necessary when committing a homicide to get the job done,” she added

The press officer said while the police force is doing its best to deal with the issue, the situation calls for greater focus on conflict resolution, especially among youths who often times use violence in every situation.

“Our youth do not know how to get their conflicts resolved without getting physical and persons need to get into conflict resolution instead of using physical force to come to an amicable resolution when there is a conflict,” Innocent advised.

Innocent reminded that it is a serious offence to be carrying any sharp objects on person, without sufficient explanation. She related that persons found with any such objects are usually arrested and placed before the courts.

“It is an offense to carry dangerous objects around. When we refer to objects we refer to knifes, cutlasses, scissors or anything that can be used to stab an individual,” she explained.

The police press officer urged all citizens to help in restoring peace to the island and to desist from any violent activity against each other.

The most recent stabbing incident that resulted in a death, involved 27-year-old Lucius ‘Jerry’ Francis of Rockhall, Marchand.

It is alleged that Francis was stabbed during a fight with a friend of a relative. The incident took place near the home of the victim’s father.

Francis was an employee of Pan American Life Insurance Group.

There have been a number of reported cases of stabbing island wide over the last few weeks, most of which resulted in serious wounding.

Arrow pointing to damage done to a window by a stone allegedly thrown by ‘Brade’, a man of unsound mind.

A man who may be of unsound mind is wreaking havoc in Boisden Jacmel, Castries.

According to reports, “Brade” (only name given) who is a resident of that community, may need urgent medical attention.

Residents of the area are now living in fear as Brade would usually attack anyone he comes into contact with.

One concerned citizen, Alicia James, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the situation is becoming a growing concern and is hopeful that the relevant authorities can intervene and get Brade the attention he needs.

James said, Brade, who is homeless and roams the streets day and night, would attack children and any passersby.

“They have to run when they see him because he would hit them if he catches them,” she added.

Just recently, James said he threw stones at her house.

“This is something he always does to my home, the neighbours, everyone is saying they will do something about the situation, they will report it, but nothing is being done,” the frustrated woman told SNO.

James explained that a number of reports have been made with the police about his behaviour. While police have responded to a few of the reports, nothing has been done to take Brade off the streets.

“When I asked them to take him to the Mental Wellness Centre, the police said that is not their responsibility and that a family member should take him,” she explained.

James related that Brade’s relatives have moved from the area because of his behaviour and have not returned since.

“I am not sure where to find them, to ask them to take him to the centre because he needs help. I wanted to take him to the centre myself, but because of his behaviour I have not been able to do so.”

The concerned citizen said Brade would wait at the school to attack the children, at the church, and on the streets with stones.

James expressed disgust at the situation and is hopeful that by making the issue public Brade will be able to get the medical attention he needs and that the community can return to normalcy.

Hamid Aminzada of Afghanistan was stabbed to death by a St. Lucian minor.

A 17-year-old St. Lucian appeared in a Toronto court briefly today on a second-degree murder charge for fatally stabbing an older student who allegedly tried to part a fight at a high school, reliable sources from the Canadian-St. Lucia community have informed St. Lucia News Online (SNO).

The suspect, who cannot be named because he’s a minor under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act of Canada, will remain in custody until his next scheduled court appearance on Oct. 14. He turned himself in to police Tuesday evening, accompanied by his lawyer.

The St. Lucian teen, who reportedly migrated to Canada from Vieux Fort recently, is accused of inflicting multiple stab wounds on Hamid Aminzada, a 19-year-old student who intervened in a hallway confrontation between two other students, police say.

Aminzada, who migrated to Canada from Afghanistan about two years ago, died in hospital. The stabbing took place at around midday Tuesday at North Albion Collegiate Institute in the Toronto suburb of Etobicoke.

“It is alleged that there was an ongoing dispute between two students at the school, which led to a confrontation between the two students in the school hallway. Another student intervened to defuse the situation, which resulted in him being stabbed. He was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and later succumbed to his injuries,” Tortonto police said in a news release.

However, sources close to the St. Lucian family told SNO that the suspect was bullied at school by the elder children and he reacted in self-defense.

“He is a very quiet boy,” one of the sources stated.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/hamid-aminzada-fatally-stabbed-trying-to-break-up-confrontation-at-north-albion-collegiate-1.2776133

A man was wounded by a woman during an altercation this morning on a farmland in Dennery Valley.

The woman is accused of chopping the man with a cutlass at about 7:45 a.m. on a farm in Bosque D’or.

Police sources say the woman reported the matter to the Richfond Police Station, alleging that the man hit her with a stick on her back and she retaliated by striking him with a cutlass she had in her possession.

According to the sources, the woman said she was not sure where she struck the man. The ambulance took the injured man to hospital. His injuries are not serious, sources say.

“I suspect it is over land… they are waiting for him at the police station to give his side of the story,” a source said.

The sources say no arrest will be made until the police receive official statements from both parties.

Two male bandits who attacked and robbed a Grand Riviere, Gros Islet family on Tuesday afternoon are still at large.

One of the victims of that robbery, Maria James, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the police told the family that they have not yet managed to get the bandits.

James said the police visited her home yesterday and reassured them that they will do all they can to get the bandits.

In the meantime, the police took photographs and fingerprints to assist with the further investigation. The family has also moved to improve the security of their home.

James, her husband and two daughters, ages 14 and two, had just reached home and was about to enter the house, when they were attacked and robbed at about 5 p.m Tuesday.

The family had already locked the gates when they were confronted by one of the bandits, who had a gun in his possession. The other bandit later came out of hiding and was keeping watch.

Both men were dressed in black and covered their faces with t-shirts. The family believed the men scaled the fence to gain entry into the house.

They robbed the family of one gold ring and a gold earring. The family’s wine cabinet was ransacked by the bandits, but they did not mange to take any of the items.

Luckily for the family, James’ husband used a cutlass that he usually keeps underneath their mattress and dealt them a few chops about their bodies. They however managed to escape by foot.

The family, especially their teenage daughter, has been terrified since the incident. The family was hoping that the bandits would seek medical care at a hospital due to the severity of the chops.

St. Lucia has seen an increase in the number of males committing suicide.

Police reports have confirmed that out of the seven suicides recorded on island so far this year, six were males.

Reports have also suggested that more males have been committing suicide over the years.

Minister of Gender Relations Alvina Reynolds, who commented on the issue recently at a public forum, has advised that persons watch out for warning signs that may lead to suicide and get relatives the support they need in dealing with whatever issues they are faced with.

“It is evident that persons are finding difficulties in dealing with the number of issues that confront them and when the difficulties arises, they may not always know where to turn and that is why family support is necessary,” the minister said.

Reynolds explained that as a nation, more support should be given to persons that are mentally ill too, instead of locking them away. She noted there are also support systems available to persons who are finding issues in coping with life challenges. She said persons in such situations should seek assistance from the Department of Gender Relations, the Crisis Centre, the Mental Wellness Centre, and any other help centre island-wide.

“Family needs to be more present, more aware, and pay more attention to family members in need. Watch at the change in their behaviour, what is causing that and be supportive,” she advised.

Just recently a man was found hanging from a tree at Mongiraud, Gros Islet. He was identified as Vincent Collymore aka ‘Ras’, originally of Laborie, but resided at Reduit, Gros Islet.

Collymore was discovered hanging from a tree by a group of children who were playing in the bushes on September 19. According to neighbours, Collymore’s wife was heard arguing with him. Following the argument he left the house and never returned.

Relatives said Collymore did not support his wife’s decision to accept employment with a cruise ship and that might be the reason why he committed suicide. He left a note behind for his daughter which read, “Daddy loves you, but I can’t take it anymore.”

A man was robbed of one Samsung Galaxy cell phone at about 3:00 this morning at Patterson’s Gap, Castries.

The victim, who requested anonymity, said that he was robbed by one armed bandit.

According to him, he saw the bandit’s face and described him to be wearing all black. The man said after the robbery, he called the police to make a report and spoke with a female officer.

“The officer told me what I expect them to do for me,” he told SNO. However, the victim managed to track his phone using a special technology and said the phone’s last location was Bridge Street, Castries.

The man expressed shock at the manner in which the police dealt with the report because he believes that his phone could have been recovered and the bandit arrested for the crime he committed.

He is still hopeful that he could get the assistance he needs in locating his phone. The phone is registered with LIME. The model number is SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 and the IMEI/MEID number is 35201305028.