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UPDATE: Body identified

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A crowd gathered near the area where the body was discovered. * Photo submitted

Relatives have identified the body of a male discovered near the Bexon Primary School this afternoon.

A source said the deceased, Philip Jaganath, had not been seen for about a week.

The source said Jaganath, who is in his 40s, is a heavy drinker and epileptic.

Reports are that the decomposed body was discovered in a drain behind the Bexon Primary School at around 4 p.m.


Police press release on body found at Bexon

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PRESS RELEASE - On Monday February 16, officers attached to the Criminal Investigations Department responded to a report of a discovered dead body about 4:30p.m.

On arrival, the officers noticed a male body lying face down in a ravine to the back of the Bexon Primary School.

The body was later identified as 49-year-old, Phillip Jagnat of Marc, Bexon. He was later pronounced dead by pathologist Dr. King and transported to the Victoria Hospital.

A post mortem to determine the cause of death of Jagnat has been scheduled for Tuesday February 17, 2015 at 1:00p.m.

Oliver Gobat murder: Police decision expected ‘in weeks’

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Oliver Gobat.

BBC - A decision on whether to send British police to St Lucia to investigate the murder of a luxury hotel owner is expected within weeks.

Oliver Gobat, from Surrey, was found in a burnt-out car on the Caribbean island in April 2014. The 38-year-old was reportedly shot and then set alight.

His parents, Theo and Helen Gobat, have offered a £120,000 reward.

The Home Office said it expected a deployment decision to be made “in the next week or two”.

Dominic Raab, Conservative MP for Esher and Walton, wants British police to help investigate his death but UK officers cannot examine cases in which a suspect could face the death penalty.

Speaking to BBC Surrey, he said: “In truth the death penalty hasn’t been applied in this kind of case for about 20 years in St Lucia.

“What we’ve been trying to do is pitch to the government – the home secretary and the foreign secretary – to make sure they’ve got enough assurance that we can provide this support – this much-needed support – to see justice done in the Gobat case without impinging on that foreign policy red line.

“We don’t yet have a decision on that but I’m feeling increasingly quietly confident that we’ll get the right outcome in the end.”

 ’Tragic death’

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said a decision was expected in the next week or two.

She added: “We have been providing consular assistance to Mr Gobat’s family since his tragic death and have made clear to the St Lucian authorities the importance of bringing those responsible to justice.”

Oliver, known as Ollie, was born in St Lucia but grew up in Surrey where he played junior cricket at county level.

He and his two older brothers ran a five-star boutique hotel in an exclusive resort in St Lucia.

Mr and Mrs Gobat have set up a Facebook campaign in a bid to see the people responsible for their son’s murder “brought to justice”.

LINK TO ARTICLE:  http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-surrey-31516911

Mary Francis wants full disclosure of IMPACS report

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Mary Francis.

Attorney and human rights activist Mary Francis is calling for a full disclosure of the Caricom IMPACS Report, which contains information about the alleged 2010-2011 police killings.

Francis has also voiced her concern over the delay in releasing the report, saying that it is long overdue. She said the delay is causing people to feel weary and disgusted.

The attorney who is also representing the families of two of the men who were murdered during the alleged police shootings said that the families need some closure.

“I am concerned about the whole idea as to who influenced this operation. The report should be able to say who was behind the whole idea “Operation Restore Confidence,” she stated.

Francis alleged that these killings were not normal and didn’t require such excessive force that was used. “The report should also tell us who bought these high-powered guns,” she said.

Leader of the Opposition Dr. Gale Rigobert has also called on Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony to release the Caricom IMPACS Report as promised.

Dr. Rigobert said given that the report in itself is extremely late, she advised that PM Anthony move quickly to discuss the findings of this report with the public and all those that it concerns.

“It will help to lift the dark cloud that hangs over heads of men and women of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), persons affected and the nation at large,” she told the media.

The opposition leader said that the report has implications for all citizens and the RSLPF as it continues to provide security to the people of the country. She said that time has come for the findings to be made public.

A press statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday, Feb.16 said that Dr. Anthony will deliver the address on Sunday, Mar. 8. The prime minister had initially promised to address the matter in early February.

Members of the Force were accused of the extra-judicial killings between 2009 and 2011, during Operation Restore Confidence. 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 RSLPF, citing human rights violations.

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

A team of police officials from Jamaica was appointed to investigate the alleged police killings.

Another first for Deputy Commissioner of Police Henry

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Frances Henry. (Credit: Star Newspaper St. Lucia).

PRESS RELEASE - Deputy Commissioner of Police Frances Henry will become the first female Commander of the Independence Parade on February 22, 2015 – Independence Day.

Ms. Henry is well regarded by the Royal St. Lucia Police Force for having achieved many firsts in the history of the organization and by extension the wider community.

A veteran police officer, with over thirty years of experience, DCP Henry has among her many accomplishments, the record of being the first female Superintendent of Police, first female Assistant Commissioner and first female Deputy Commissioner of Police, which is the position she currently holds.

Ms. Henry was also a pioneer of the Community Policing initiative which is now an established and very successful policing concept in Saint Lucia.

The Commissioner of Police Mr. Vernon Francois and the executive of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force congratulate Ms. Henry, and wish her every success in her tour of duty as the Commander of the Independence Parade 2015.

Post mortem finds Bexon man died of asphyxiation

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A crowd gathered near the area where the body was discovered. * Photo submitted.

PRESS RELEASE - A post mortem examination conducted on the body of 49-year-old, Phillip Jaganath of Marc, Bexon who was recently found dead revealed that he died from asphyxia due to aspiration of mud.

Jaganath was found lying motionless in a ravine located at the back of the Bexon Primary School on Monday February 16, 2015 about 4:00.pm.

UPDATE: Man arrested for chopping teacher

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A  student-teacher was chopped by a known young man of Ti Rocher, Micoud at about 3:30 p.m. yesterday (Feb. 18).

Reports are that Kerby Phillip, 23, had just gotten off a bus near a supermarket when the young man chopped him on his left arm.

A trail of blood was seen from the main road leading to the victim’s home, about 300 feet from the incident.

Sources said Phillip was admitted at St. Jude Hospital and he’s scheduled to undergo surgery.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) understands that the accused was warned along with two others by the police after a report was made by the victim’s mother after the men went into the victim’s yard.

The Police Press Office has confirmed that the alleged attacker is currently in police custody. He is expected to be charged soon.

Bandit break into student’s car and steals laptop

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A student’s black Daihatsu Boon motor car  was broken into near the Anglican School higher up Dilly’s Supermarket yesterday, (Feb. 19).

Even though the vehicle is equipped with an alarm system, the bandit managed to steal a white Toshiba laptop.

The owner said the laptop has all his school records and is pleading for its return.

Anyone with information regarding the stolen laptop can contact 722-0201.


King wants closure to police force controversy

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Former Prime Minister Stephenson King.

CMC - Former Prime Minister, Stephenson King has urged his successor, Prime Minister Kenny Anthony, to expedite the process of bringing closure to the controversy that has dogged allegations that members of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) engaged in extra judicial killings.

“I believe it would be good if the Prime Minister expedites the process of bringing closure to the issue that has led to questions being raised about the actions of the police,” King said.

Last month Prime Minister Anthony announced that the government had received the report of an investigation carried out by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), into the alleged extra-judicial killings.

In a radio and television broadcast, Anthony disclosed that he would address the nation on the matter this month, but just this week rescheduled the address to March 8.

King believes Anthony must have “justifiable reasons” for not making the address as promised.

“There may be issues of national security and other issues that he may wish to be comfortable with,” said King, under whose government the alleged extra judicial killings occurred.

The former Prime Minister felt that the contents of the report of the investigation into the killings should be made public, once national security would not be threatened.

In 2013, the St Lucia Government enlisted the help of the Jamaican police to investigate the RSLPF.

This came on the heels of the United States withdrawing security related assistance after claims of human rights violations.

The claims were linked to 12 fatal shootings by the police that took place during the period 2010 to 2011.

Micoud man allegedly beaten by Praedial Larceny Unit officials

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A Micoud family has accused special police constables attached to the Praedial Larceny Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture for allegedly beating a 33-year-old male relative on Tuesday evening.

Relatives of Daniel Monrose of La Pointe, Mon Repos said the beating on his buttocks is now causing him severe pain.

A relative told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today that Monrose claimed he was eating a grapefruit in a garden  in a place called The Pointe in La Pointe, Mon Repos on January 2, 2015 when a man saw him and assumed that he stole it from his tree.

The man then reported the matter to police.

“On Tuesday, the young man saw food missing from his garden and called the Praedial Larceny Unit and asked them to warn my brother. He said he believed my brother stole from his garden,” the relative told SNO.

The police reportedly showed up on Tuesday evening and picked up Monrose from the street, and brought him to the garden where the officers allegedly used a wood to beat him.

“Whilst one was beating him with the stick, the other one punched him in his belly. Just so he could tell them he picked the grapefruit from the young man’s garden,” the relative said.

SNO was unable to get in touch with an official of the Preadial Larceny Unit.

Praedial Larceny Unit unaware of alleged Micoud beating incident

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The injury Monrose sustained from the alleged beating.

The Praedial Larceny Unit said it is not aware of any situation that involves a 33-year-old man in Micoud being allegedly beaten by special police constables.

Officer-in-charge of the Praedial Larceny Unit in the south, Kasha Mitchel, said she would have to investigate the matter to ascertain whether the incident is true.

Mitchel told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today that she would have to first speak with the constables and her supervisor to verify that information, while noting that her supervisor is currently off island.

The official said even if the information is true, she would still need to speak with her supervisor, before she is allowed to make any statements regarding the matter.

This publication first made contact with the Ministry of Agriculture, to speak with the head of the unit, but was told that he is in a meeting.

SNO was later put onto the office in the north, before getting in touch with Mitchel, who is in charge of the south.

A Micoud family has accused special police constables attached to the Praedial Larceny Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture for allegedly beating a 33-year-old male relative on Tuesday evening.

Daniel Monrose of La Pointe, Mon Repos, claims he was eating a grapefruit in a garden in a place called The Pointe in La Pointe, Mon Repos on January 2, 2015 when a man saw him and assumed that he stole it from his tree. The man reported the matter to police.

On Tuesday, the man saw food missing from his garden and called the unit and asked them to warn Monrose.The police reportedly showed up on Tuesday evening and picked up Monrose from the street, and brought him to the garden where the officers allegedly used a wood to beat him.

Cricketer loses money in St. Lucia

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Andre Fletcher

A member of the Windward Islands Volcanoes cricket team  has lodged a theft report with the St. Lucian police following a match between his team and Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Beausejour Cricket Ground (BCG) in Gros Islet today, Friday, Feb. 20.

Right-handed batsman and wicket keeper, Andre Fletcher, discovered the monies missing between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., highly-placed sources have told St. Lucia News Online (SNO).

Reports are that the 27-year-old Grenadian left the pouch, containing at least EC$2,000 and USD$200 cash, in the team therapist’s travelling bag at the stadium while he played in the game.

However, shortly after arriving at Harmony Suites in Rodney Bay village, Fletcher discovered the monies missing. Officers from Rodney Bay and Gros Islet Police Stations have been notified of the crime.

“Fletcher is not taking that likely and is planning to take it further,” a source close to the investigations told SNO.

The team of police officers have since searched the rooms of all the players, but nothing has been found. Sources say the monies were stolen during the match and not many players have access to the therapist’s room at the BCG.

According to sources close to the team, Fletcher suspects that a particular team member is the culprit. SNO will not disclose the suspected player’s name due to legal reasons.

A law enforcement source told SNO that this is not the first time cricketers have reported missing money.

“The player suspected of taking the monies was accused in the past in similar cases,” the source added.

St. Lucia is currently hosting the seventh-round match between Leeward Islands Hurricanes and Windward Islands Volcanoes in the Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Tournament, scheduled from February 20-23.

On the third day of the match, Saint Lucia will be celebrating its 36th anniversary of Independence.

UPDATED: Mitsubishi Lancer found

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Not the actual vehicle stolen.

A white 2005/6 Mitsubishi Lancer, which was stolen from the Gros Islet Catholic Church car park during the Friday night Street Party on Feb. 20, has been found.

The vehicle was recovered in Monkey Town, Castries and a suspect has been held pending further investigation.

BREAKING NEWS: Body of missing teen found on Anse La Raye Beach

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A missing Anse La Raye youth was found dead along the Anse La Raye Beach at around noon today.

Miguel Sealy, 16, went missing at about 8 p.m. on Monday evening, police officials told St. Lucia News Online (SNO).

The police said in a press statement today that Sealy’s mother, Mandy Joseph, made the missing person report at the Anse La Raye Police Station.

Joseph told the police that her teenage son who hails from Massacre, Anse La Raye, left his residence earlier that day about 3 p.m. to spend some time with a family member on the Massacre Beach, Anse La Raye and up to the time of report had not been seen.

A body was discovered on the beach today, which was positively identified as that of Sealy.

It is suspected that the teenager may have drowned.

Investigations are continuing.

BREAKING NEWS: Canadian citizen arrested in connection with Vieux Fort drowning

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Terrel.

A Canadian citizen has been arrested in connection with the drowning death of a four-year-old Vieux Fort boy on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015.

Reports are that the man allegedly took the child into the water on a surfboard against the wishes of his guardian, resulting in his death.

A police statement issued yesterday said, the boy was given a ride by a kite surfer (the man arrested). Whilst riding, he fell into the sea and submerged.

The incident occurred on Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Bois Chadon beach near Coconut Bay Resort

A search and rescue mission was immediately conducted by police but the body was not recovered.

On Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at about 6 a.m. the lifeless body of Terrel Joshua Elibox was found on the Coconut Bay Beach, Vieux Fort.

A post mortem examination is to be performed on the body today.


More marijuana plants uprooted in Anse La Raye

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PRESS RELEASE - In continued efforts to halt the cultivation of cannabis, the Anse La Raye Police on Wednesday, February 25, 2015, conducted an eradication exercise in the Anse Gallet area between 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

As a result of the exercise, 12,000 fully grown plants and 2,000 seedlings were destroyed

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has undertaken a number of successful operations to crackdown on crime and according to the Commissioner of Police, there will be no abating of efforts on the part of law men to ensure that this momentum continues.

This is the third successful eradication exercise for Anse La Raye Police for the year 2015.

Car thief escapes after high-speed chase with police

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The vehicle that was stolen.

A vehicle that was stolen in Castries yesterday was sighted this afternoon at about 3:58 p.m. at the Cool Breeze Gas Station in Soufriere by persons in the area, who saw the notice on St. Lucia News Online (SNO).

A police corporal and two constables attached to the Soufriere Police Station responded to the report and on arrival at the location, they attempted to intercept the vehicle.

A reliable source told SNO that in doing so, the officers asked the car thief to disembark the vehicle, but he drove off instead, almost hitting one of them.

Shots were fired at the tyres in an effort to stop the vehicle, but the driver continued his journey. The source told SNO that the officers gave chase out of Soufriere heading into Vieux Fort.

During the high-speed chase with the police, the stolen vehicle overturned on the road, landing on its right side. The driver of the vehicle managed to escape on foot in nearby bushes.

The Suzuki Celerio vehicle was stolen in Good Lands, Castries, between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

The keys to the vehicle were returned the owner, but the vehicle remains parked in the police compound.

Canadian arrested in connection with boy’s drowning death identified

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Terrel.

A Canadian citizen arrested in connection with the drowning death of a four-year-old Vieux Fort boy is a physician from Hamilton, Canada who was apparently on holiday here, according to local police.

The man (name withheld) was kite-surfing at Bois Shadon Beach in the town of Vieux Fort when he allegdely took Terrel Joshua Elibos, a boy from the town, out in the water, police said.

The boy fell into the water and drowned around 2 p.m. on Sunday. Police searched for the boy until his body was found at nearby Coconut Bay Beach early Tuesday morning.

CBC News (Canada) has reported that the man taught medicine in Saint Lucia, in addition to being a physician here. “I’m very concerned,” said the fitness studio manager, who wished not to be named. “He’s an absolute angel.”

She added that the doctor was an “avid kite surfer.” When asked if taking a four-year-old kite surfing would be consistent with his personality, she responded, “He’s a doctor, so I trust his judgment more than anyone else’s.”

The doctor, according to CBC News is not listed with the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, but a previous report in the Guelph Mercury describes a person with the same name and age who was a trained doctor in the U.S. and awaiting medical residency in Canada.

In that story, the physician aided a distressed Guelph man while biking on Hamilton trails in Canada.

Police said he had been scheduled to leave the Saint Lucia today. No charges have been laid, but he remains in police custody and is co-operating with the investigation.

DPP to decide fate of Canadian physician in Vieux Fort boy drowning

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Terel.

Police have asked the Director of Public Prosecutions, Victoria Charles-Clarke, to decide if there is enough evidence for them to charge a Canadian citizen with the drowning death of a four-year-old boy.

Police have submitted the findings of their investigations to the DPP. The suspect who was arrested on Tuesday remains in police custody. The DPP has until then to respond to the police.

Reports are that the man allegedly took the child into the water on a surfboard against the wishes of his guardian, resulting in his death.

A police statement issued on Tuesday said the boy was given a ride by a kite surfer (the Canadian). Whilst riding, he fell into the sea and submerged.

The incident occurred on Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Bois Chadon beach near Coconut Bay Resort A search and rescue mission was immediately conducted by police but the body was not recovered.

On Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at about 6 a.m. the lifeless body of Terrel Joshua Elibox was found on the beach.

A post mortem examination was conducted on the body of Terel yesterday, which concluded that he died from “cerebral asthenia secondary to drowning”.

New director of Bordelais Correctional facility takes up position today

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New Prison Director Verne Garde.

The Bordelais Correctional Facility will have a new director in the person of Verne Garde, effective today, Friday, Feb. 27, 2015.

To celebrate this occasion, the institution will have a parade that will be inspected by the Minister for Legal Affairs, Home Affairs and National Security Victor Lacobiniere.

The newly appointed director, along with the minister, will then proceed to meet with senior officers and staff in a tour of the facility.

Garde, who has an extensive background in law enforcement, has signaled his passion for the area of corrections.

“I propose to utilise a five prong approach going forward. 1. Maintain Security 2. Foster rehabilitation, 3. Foster team and capacity building among staff / auxiliary, support 4.Reduce expenditure by tying industry with rehabilitation and 5. To maintain a continuum” he declared.

According to Garde, emphasis will be placed on reform, as regards the entire operations of the correctional facility, during the first three years of his tour of duty.

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