DEAD: Paula Griffith.

An 85-year-old grandmother from La Caye, Dennery who was reported missing since Sunday morning was discovered dead behind two barrels in her store room, relatives said.

Paula Griffith, who is better known as Llene or Iyene, allegedly bled to death on a suitcase. She was discovered by her grandson at around 7 p.m. on Monday, August 25.

Her adopted daughter, Sherma (only name given), told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that with the assistance of relatives they looked everywhere for her on Sunday, but came up empty-handed on each occasion.

However, relatives visited her home again on Monday and realised that there was a bad scent coming from her store room and decided to take a closer look, which led them to discover the lifeless body of Paula Griffith.

Sherma said despite having suffered from high blood pressure, Griffith was in perfect shape and did not have any major medical issues. She said she never even complained about having aches and pains.

The woman said Griffith was all she had and they both shared a very close relationship. She said Griffith will be greatly missed by her relatives and friends.

Given the circumstances in which she was found, her body was taken to the mortuary, where a post mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death.

Griffith leaves to mourn her only child Leroy, six grand children, one great grandchild and her adopted daughter.

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Deceased: Danny Myers aka Old Thug

A family from Grace, Vieux-Fort is in mourning after one of their own was killed in French Guiana, South America on Wednesday, August 19.

Reports are that 29-year-old Danny Myers, also known as Big Show and Old Thug, was fatally stabbed as a result of an altercation.

Family members did not provide any further details on the tragedy, saying that everyone is having a hard time coping with his death. They said though Myers was a “troublesome person” he was good to those close to him and to those whom he knew.

The family members further stated that arrangements are now being made to return the body to St. Lucia.

Myers is survived by a one-year-old baby boy. He reportedly moved to the South American country 11 years ago.

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Minister Alva Baptiste.

PRESS RELEASE – The Honourable Alva Baptiste, Minister for External Affairs, headed Saint Lucia’s delegation to the First Conference of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty (“the ATT”) which was held from 24th to 27th August, 2015 in Cancún, Mexico.

The First Conference of States Parties (CSP) brought together States Parties, signatory States, representatives of civil society, industry and international organisations and established the necessary mechanisms to ensure the successful implementation of the Treaty. The Conference, among other things:

-Adopted the Rules of Procedure for the Conference, and all subsequent (CSPs)

-Adopted the Financial Rules, which would govern the ATT Secretariat

-Determined the programme of work up to the next Conference; and

-Decided on matters relating to the Permanent Secretariat of the ATT including the location of the Secretariat.

Saint Lucia, like the rest of the CARICOM Member States have played an active role throughout the negotiations and preparatory process of the ATT.

Participation in this inaugural Conference has ensured that Saint Lucia continues to actively contribute in the implementation of the Treaty.

The Minister in his address to the High Level Segment of the Conference emphasized that the Arms Trade Treaty, serves as a testimony of the political will of states like Saint Lucia to address the unregulated access to guns and ammunition.

The Minister urged States present, that “This treaty will be judged according to its success in preventing arms transfers that risk contributing to or facilitating human suffering. Let our work here this week ensure that when we plead our just cause before the bar of history that our decisions impact positively on those most affected.”

The effective implementation of the ATT will benefit the citizens of Saint Lucia by assisting the relevant authorities to establish and manage controls to regulate trade in conventional arms and ammunition. This will contribute to the reduction in the transfer of illegal small arms, light weapons and homicides with firearms.

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Left to right: Marvin Anthony Augustin, 18, and Oran Charles, 27, also known as “Wong”.

Police have issued arrest warrants for two suspects in connection with two separate homicides.

These suspects are wanted for the killing of: Marvin Anthony Augustin, 18, of Grand Riviere, Gros Islet and Oran Charles, 27, also known as “Wong” of Ciceron.

Augustin was found with his throat slashed on April 21 at Trouya beach in Gros Islet. His body was discovered hours after he went missing. A post-mortem later revealed that the teenager was stabbed 56 times.

Meanwhile, Charles sustained multiple gunshots to his head and upper body on Sunday, April 5 at Monkey Town, Ciceron, Castries. He subsequently died.

Preliminary investigations into the death of Augustin indicate that he had gone to the beach to meet a male individual, but never returned home.

It was later reported that police were looking for a Jamaican national, who might have been a possible suspect in his killing. The foreigner is said to be the last person Augustin made contact with.

It is not clear who might be responsible for Charles’s murder.

Despite issuing these arrest warrants, the names of the suspects have not been made public by police.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) spoke with a senior police official who said that the names of the suspects are being withheld for now, but could be made available soon.

The senior cop could not provide a legitimate reason why the names have not been released.

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CANCELLED: The bandits took all the police Bar-B-Que meat.

A Bar-B-Que planned for today, Friday, August 28 at the Police Headquarters on Bridge Street, Castries has been cancelled due to a break-in.

A source told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the officers were informed of the change in plans earlier today via a memorandum by the Police Week Committee.

It reads: “Please be informed that the activity for today has been cancelled due to the fact that we got robbed of all our chicken, pork, wings and drinks.”

According to the source, the items were placed in the police canteen on Thursday evening, but when a few of the officers went to collect them this morning, they discovered it missing.

The event was planned as a means of raising funds to help with hosting the Royal St. Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) annual Police Week which is expected to take place in late November.

The committee has one more planned activity for Saturday August 29 at the Rudy John Beach in Laborie.

It is not clear whether that event has been cancelled as well.

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A 22-year-old man was injured by a cutlass-wielding man during a party at Ravine Poisson court.

The victim, who has been identified as Danny Justin, sustained lacerations to the left arm.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 3 a.m. Sunday, August 30.

It is not clear whether Justin has been released from hospital as yet.

There was also a reported stabbing at Pavee at around the same time.

No further information available at this time.

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Police have received some 40 ‘sex with minor’ reported cases between January and July 2015.

In the previous year, the police recorded 131 reports, which includes victims under 12-years-old.

This revelation was made during an MBC television programme dubbed “Police Insight “on Sunday evening.

Inspector Susanna Osman said that a majority of these cases involve a relative or friend.

She said in some cases stepfathers and family friends also commit this hideous act on children.

Someone under the age of 16 cannot consent to sexual intercourse, according to local laws.

There have also been 39 reported cases of rape from January to July 2015 and 50 reported cases last year.

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PRESS RELEASE – On Sunday, August 30, 2015 about 5:00 a.m. officers from the Gros-Islet Police Station were dispatched to the Reduit Beach in Gros-Islet upon receiving certain information.

Upon arrival, the officers retrieved the body of a female near the Reduit Beach shoreline.

The body, later identified as 52 year old, Sophia Delia Charles Didier of Reduit Gros-Islet was transported to the Victoria Hospital where she was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

A post mortem examination conducted later that day on the body, revealed that she died as a result of asphyxiation (condition of being deprived of oxygen) secondary to drowning.

The examination also revealed neck trauma and blunt trauma about the body.

There is an individual in custody assisting police with investigations.

This is the seventeenth homicide for the year 2015.

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A man was found dead in his home in Garrand, Babonneau this morning.

He has been identified as Antoine Henry also known as Cocoito, who is said to be in his early 50’s.

The man’s decomposing body was discovered at around 8 a.m today by a neighbour.

Henry was found in his bedroom lying on his back with foam coming from his mouth.

It is being speculated that the man may have consumed poison.

Police were summoned to the scene and are currently conducting their investigations.

Henry was last seen by neighbours on Sunday.

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PRESS RELEASE – The Public is hereby advised that ALL requests for Major Mass Crowd Events must be communicated to the Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibility for Operations.

Section 4.4 of the Mass Crowd Events Guidelines of Saint Lucia 2009 states that “Mass Crowd Events” are defined by any gathering that is expected to attract two hundred (200) persons or more.

Applications must be made twenty one (21) days for Mass Crowd Events expecting two hundred (200) and over persons and ten (10) days for events expecting less than 200, before the intended date of the event.

Failure to adhere to this guideline shall result in your event not being approved.

The public is further advised that organizers who do not possess the required permit from the Office of the Commissioner of Police will risk their event being shut down by police.

The Office of the Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibility for Operations can be reached at 456-3711 or 456-3710.

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Police have arrested a 22-year-old male for attempting to rob a student this morning.

The incident occurred outside the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) sometime around 9:00 a.m.

Reports are that an off-duty police officer saw when the man attempted to rob the student at scissors point.

The senior police official intervened and the man was handcuffed and taken to the station.

The victim is a 17-year-old male who was about to register for the new semester.

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PRESS RELEASE – Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 56 year old, Antoine Henry of Garrand, Babonneau.

Henry’s decomposing body was discovered in his dwelling house by a relative on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 about 7:30 a.m. at Ital Street Garrand, Babonneau.

A post mortem examination will be conducted on a later date.

Investigations continue into this matter.

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PRESS RELEAASE – Police investigations into the death of 52 year old, Sophia Delia Charles Didier of Reduit, Gros-Islet which occurred on Sunday, August 30, 2015 has resulted in the formal arrest and charging of 38 year old, James Bretney of Balata, Babonneau.

On Thursday, September 3, 2015, Bretney was formally charged for the offence of Murder.

He is scheduled to make an appearance before the First District Court on Monday, September 7, 2015.

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Mondesir

A businessman was reportedly discovered dead at his home on Thursday night.

The victim has been identified as David Mondesir, 50, Hewanorra Orchard, Vieux Fort.

Mondesir’s body was discovered by his girlfriend with a gunshot wound to the head at about 11:00 p.m.

His body was transported to the St. Jude Hospital where he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

It is being speculated that Mondesir may have been gunned down in his balcony shortly after leaving his business establishment. He was the owner of a supermarket in La Ressource.

Mondesir, who was originally from La Pointe, Choiseul, had lived in London, England for a number of years before returning to St. Lucia.

The businessman’s death marks the eighteenth homicide for the year 2015.

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PRESS RELEASE – “Know you laws” is a production of the Press Office of the Royal St Lucia Police Force.

For all sporting enthusiast out there, Did You Know, according to the Criminal Code of Saint Lucia 2008.

540. OFFENCES RELATING TO DESIGNATED SPORTING EVENTS

(1)          A person who, at a designated sporting event, throws, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, a missile of a kind that is capable of causing injury—

(a)          at or towards any area in which spectators or other persons are or may be present; or

(b)          at or towards the playing area or any area adjacent to the playing area to which spectators are not generally admitted, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $5,000 or to imprisonment for 2 years or both.

(2)          A person who at a designated sporting event, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, (proof of which lies on him or her), goes on to—

(a)          the playing area; or

(b)          any area adjacent to the playing area to which spectators are not generally admitted, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $5,000 or to imprisonment for 2 years or both.

(3)

(a)          A person who, in contravention of a prohibition by the organizers of a designated sporting event, has in his or her possession a bottle or other article made of glass—

(i)            while entering or trying to enter the premises where the event is being held, or

(ii)           during the event while being a spectator, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $5,000 or to imprisonment for 2 years or both.

(b)          Where any police officer has reasonable cause to suspect that a person hasconcealed in hisor her possession a bottle or other article made of glass in contravention ofparagraph (a), he or she may search that person and take whatever action is necessary in accordance with this Code.

(4)

(a)          A person shall not, without the authority of the organizers of a designated sporting event, sell, offer to sell, or expose for sale, a ticket for that event—

(i)            in the course of trade or business, or

(ii)           in any public or other place.

(b)          A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term of 6 months.

(5)          The Minister responsible for sport may by order designate a sporting event, or a sporting event of a particular description, for the purposes of this section.

(6)

(a)          Where a person is convicted of an offence under this section, the Court may make an order prohibiting that person from entering any premises for the purpose of attending one or more designated sporting events.

(b)          The Court shall make an order under paragraph (a) if it is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe that making the order will help to prevent violence or disorder at or in connection with designated sporting events.

(7)

(a)          In this section “designated sporting event” means a sporting event, or a sporting event of a particular description, designated by order under subsection (5).

(b)          References in this section to things done at a designated sporting event include anything done at the ground where the sporting event is scheduled to take place at a particular time—

(i)            within the period beginning 4 hours before the time at which the event is advertised to start and ending 2 hours after the end of the event, or

(ii)           Where the event is advertised to start at a particular time on a particular day but does not take place on that day, within the period beginning 4 hours before and ending 2 hours after the advertised starting time of the event.

This has been “Know Your Laws”. We at the Royal Saint Lucia Police force encourage the citizenry to read and study the laws which governs our society. Never forget that knowledge is power.

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An 18-year-old male was brutally killed on Monday evening in Faux a Chaud/Hospital Road, Castries.

Brandon Breedy, who is originally from Mairsule, was gunned down in his bed.

The incident occurred sometime between 10:00 p.m and 11:00 p.m., police officials have confirmed.

Reports are that the teenager who was recovering from an illness was on his cell phone, when his attacker entered his home and opened fire. He sustained three gunshot wounds to his chest and head.

Breedy’s lifeless body was found lying in a pool of blood on his bed, residents said.

It is being speculated that the teenager was shot over a relationship with a female.

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PRESS RELEASE – Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 18 year old Brandon Breedy of Hospital Road, Castries.

On Monday, September 7, 2015 about 11:05 p.m. police responded to a report of a shooting at Hospital Road, Castries.

Upon arrival, officers discovered the body of Breedy at his dwelling house with what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds.

Breedy was transported to the Victoria Hospital where he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

This is the nineteenth homicide for the year 2015.

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Brandon Breedy

A relative of an 18-year-old who was gunned down in his bed Monday night, has said the victim was warned many times to stay away from “bad company”.

The relative, who requested anonymity, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that Brandon Breedy, who was shot multiple times on his bed in Hospital Road, Castries, was a well-known member of a crew called Task Force/Gaza.

According to the relative, speculation that the teen was killed over a relationship with another woman is just the “tip of the iceberg”.

“Marlon was warned over and over but he loved the fast life,” the resident said. “The gang life is a dead end.”

A reader appeared to have backed up the relative’s claims with the following comment on SNO’s Facebook page: “Brandon i see you grow up in Marisule as a baby your mom raised to be a good boy you took your own path o remembered she would cry and beg you to turn away from bad company look what the hell you did sih jah alone know REST IN PEACE.”

The relative pointed to his Facebook profile on which Breedy displayed guns, jewelry, and appeared to be smoking. His profile also displayed satanic images (see images below story).

Despite Breedy’s alleged involvement in gang life, many of his friends are in disbelief at his passing. Below are some of the comments (posted verbatim) on his social media profile:

“Try an wake up deh :]x stop joking . Why???? u go and leave us e asiay sigh ..such a difficult thing to believe R.I.P My Boy ”

“Life is on mess up thing !!‪#‎Taskforce‬ rip Brandon Teflon !! I must see you again Brandon”

“Oh wow…hard to believe you gone…lik sooo hard to believe. ….R.I.P Brandon. …..you just made me realize how short life is…and how much ive been wasting mine. ….”

“Just last week i saw u but i was to far to shout if i knew that would be the last time i saw u i would make it my duty to stop u you were the class entertainment my bro n good friend ”

“RIP Brando I will miss combin ur hair ‪#‎taskforce‬”

“My Nigga Brandon Gone To Soon The Taskforce Niggas Gonna Miss You”

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Bretney… charged with the murder of Sophia Didier.

Human rights activist Mary Francis is hoping there won’t be any delays in the Sophia Didier murder case, while praising the police for making a “quick” arrest.

Francis was speaking to reporters on Monday, Sept 7 when the man accused of Didier’s murder, James Bretney, 38, of Balata, Babonneau, made his first appearance in a Castries court.

“I want to strongly condemn the murder of Sophia because it is a very brutal way for a woman to lose her life and I am very happy that the police were able in quick time to make an arrest of the perpetrator of this vicious crime,” Francis said.

Didier, a 52-year-old resident of Reduit, Gros-Islet, was found dead near the Reduit beach shoreline in the wee hours of Sunday, August 30, 2015.

A post mortem examination conducted later that day on the body, revealed that she died as a result of asphyxiation (condition of being deprived of oxygen) secondary to drowning. The examination also revealed neck trauma and blunt trauma about the body.

Francis said the way in which Didier was slain should be condemced in the “strongest possible terms”.

“The right to life is the most important human right, and anyone who loses there life and in this case in such a violent manner, I think it must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. And I hope justice will prevail in this case and I hope there won’t be any delays and so forth,” she added.

Bretney was remanded to custody until Oct. 14, 2015 – his next scheduled court appearance. While being led away by police from the court, he told HTS News that he is innocent of the crime.

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A young male was caught breaking into a home in Carellie this morning.

Reports are that the alleged thief gained entry through a window in the bottom flat of the house.

A friend of the owner came into contact with the suspect when he visited the home.

The trespasser attempted to flee, but neighbours managed tie him up.

He had in his possession, cash and other items that were stolen from the house.

The suspect was handed over to the police.

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