Burglary

Police are investigating a break and enter which occurred sometime between Friday evening and Saturday morning, at Hilan’s Auto Body Repair Shop located at La Clery.

The sister of the business owner, Kimberley Verneuil, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today that her brother, Hilan Verneuil, made the discovery on Saturday, Jan. 2 at around 6 a.m.

Kimberley said her brother would usually sleep at his business establishment, but decided to spend New Year’s evening at another sister in Castries, and expecting a break-in was the last thing on his mind.

According to Kimberly, there is evidence of forced entry at the gates.

Her brother also suspects that the robbery may have been committed by persons who know him personally, have worked with him or live close to the shop.

“Based on where the items were, it has to be someone who knows about it and it had to be more than one person who robbed the shop,” Kimberley told SNO.

The bandits took a compressor and a spray gun, among other items from the body repair shop.

The business owner estimates losses of approximately $10,000 worth of items.

While a report was made with the police on the same day the business was discovered broken into, Kimberley claims that the police only showed up at the business premises on Sunday, Jan. 3.

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313. LIBEL

(1)     A person commits the offence of libel who, by print, writing, painting, effigy, or by any means otherwise than solely by gestures, spoken words, or other sounds, unlawfully publishes any defamatory matter concerning another person, whether living or dead, either negligently or with intent to defame that other person.

(2)     In the case of a dead person, it must be alleged and proved that it was done with intent to bring contempt on his or her family and relatives and so provoke them to a breach of the peace.

314. DEFAMATORY MATTER DEFINED

(1)     A person is defamed if matter is imputed to him or her who amounts to a crime, or which imputes to him or her misconduct in any public office, or which is likely to injure him or her in his or her occupation, calling, or office, or to expose him or her to general hatred, contempt or ridicule.

(2)     In this section “crime” means any offence punishable on indictment under this Code, and any act punishable on indictment under any enactment within the jurisdiction of the Courts, and also any act, whosesoever committed, which, if committed by a person within the jurisdiction of the Courts, would be punishable on indictment under any enactment.

327. PENALTY FOR INTENTIONAL LIBEL

A person who is convicted of intentional libel is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 5 years.

328. PENALTY FOR NEGLIGENT LIBEL

A person who is convicted of negligent libel is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 2 years.

329. DEFAMING OR INSULTING THE CROWN

A person who, with intent to bring the Governor-General into hatred, contempt or ridicule, publishes any defamatory or insulting matter, whether by writing, print, word of mouth or in any other manner concerning the Governor General is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 5 years.

“We, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force would like to encourage the citizenry to read and study the laws which governs our society. Never forget that knowledge is power”.

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DEAD: Joseph Herman. * Photo credit: Facebook.

PRESS RELEASE – On, Monday, January 4, 2016 a post -mortem was conducted on the body of  45 year old, Joseph Herman of Capitol Hill, Castries.

The examination revealed that Herman died as a result of respiratory failure and hemorrhagic shock, secondary to multiple stab wounds to chest.

Investigations are continuing into this matter.

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DEAD: Renee Joseph.

PRESS RELEASE – On, Tuesday, January 5, 2016 a Post Mortem was conducted on the body of  48 year old, Renee Joseph of Jacmel Anse-La-Raye.

The examination revealed that Joseph died as a result of traumatic head injury.

Investigations continue into this matter.

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PRESS RELEASE – The death of an employee is a traumatic event that may greatly affect the workplace. Whether the death arose from prolonged illness or a sudden event, some employees will experience feelings of grief and loss.

   How the employees cope with the loss depends on many factors, from their personal beliefs to the presence of other stress in their lives. For some employees, thoughts of the deceased may make it hard to focus on work for a while. Others may find it difficult to get back on track, resulting in mistakes that can disrupt the company’s functioning.

This may very well be the effects on the staff after hearing the tragic end of the life to one of CIE Ltd longest serving employee – Joseph Herman aka Percy – he was stabbed on Jeremie Street on Old Year’s night and succumbed on New Year’s day. He was 45 years old.

  It’s hard to know someone without actually meeting him. However, a good story about an individual enables the listener to have insight into that person. After listening to Simon Straughn’s emotional phone call about his friend Percy, I felt like I knew Percy on a personal level.

  Percy, who hails from Soufriere has been part of the company from its inception says the emotional voice at the other end of the telephone. “Percy was a highly valuable and respected member of our team here and the effects of his passing are already being felt here by his fellow employees and management. He was a wonderful employee who understood the meaning of the word “team.” He was always more focused on the good of the company and the department than on his own benefit. He made many great contributions to the company and helped it move forward in numerous ways. His work here will not soon be forgotten.”  Simon recalls.

  The near tearful friend recalls the times with Percy when they used to go to parties, sharing whatever they had, working long hours with friends like Chicken, Yellow, and Horace, to mention a few, and were all humbled by his kindness and compassion to everyone around him. According to Simon, the company’s employees intend to fly black flags on their vehicles and equipment to show their respects. 

  Mr Gajadhar, on behalf of his company, extends sincere condolences to Percy’s friends and the family. Percy was a remarkable man and everyone at CIE Ltd is better for having known him. He will be greatly missed and everyone here is saddened by his death. Our thoughts and prayers are with Percy’s family and friends during this difficult time.

 Percy leaves behind two daughters, 11 and 22 years old, a 5 year old son, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, and his common law lady. 

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Relatives say Nelson was a horseman and had a profound love for animals.

A man believed to be in his early 40’s was chopped to death on Tuesday evening in Laborie.

He has been identified as Marcus Nelson, alias Bowcha.

The incident took place at Mon Repos Hill, between 6 and 7 p.m., near his residence.

An eyewitness said Nelson’s body had multiple stab/wounds to his head, wrist (severed), and chest.

Residents claim they saw a white car leaving the scene, but did not bother to take the licence number.

It is believed that Nelson’s body was thrown out of the vehicle and onto the road.

The police have no suspects so far.

This is the second homicide for 2016.

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Burglars have broken into the Fond St. Jacque Daycare Center, stealing a quantity of items.

The discovery was made today (Jan.5) at around 7 a.m. by Margaret Cazaubon, the school’s supervisor.

Cazaubon told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the burglars forced their way into the school, by breaking the lock on one of the doors.

They took a 50-inch flat screen television, a DVD/CD player, and a 1,500 watts transformer.

The supervisor believes the burglary may have occurred between Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning.

This is not the first time the school has been burglarised. They encountered a similar incident sometime late last year, where a number of other items were stolen.

A report was made with the Soufriere Police Station.

Investigations are ongoing.

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Two of the same counterfeit EC$50 notes. *

Saint Lucians are upset over the recent circulation of fake EC$50 bills around the island and are asking the authorities to look into the issue, with the hope of them helping to resolve it.

A woman by the name of Thomas Kashia-Sinus, who is reportedly a victim, wrote on St. Lucia Aiming For Progress (SLAP) Facebook page, expressing her disgust with the situation and issuing a warning to persons.

Sinus said, “Look out for these counterfeit EC$50 notes. We got 3 of them at an event on Thursday night. However because of alert staff and good policing, we were able to catch the culprit.”

The woman believes that there might be many more fake EC$50 circulating across the island, something that has happened in the past.

“If you drop water on it, it runs and where the foil would usually be, it’s just grey. They all have the same serial number (SN183954). Don’t let a struggling business person loose in these times,” she added.

Another woman, Marlyn Francis, said: “Counterfeit money is bad for the economy. When an outside source starts introducing money into an economy the government can’t regulate, and that will drive up prices and it will ruin the economy especially on a small island like St Lucia.”

Meanwhile, Adam E. Azaire commented saying, “Persons also should be especially vigilant at nights and busy business periods, as visibility and focus would be the least. They should also be wary of those who might try to rush them for change, especially with these larger bills and during peak business periods.”

Another person claims that he too was scammed, but said his bogus EC$50 had a different serial number.

It was revealed that fake Eastern Caribbean dollars are allegedly being sold on Ebay (U.K) and these fake currency have been in constant circulation in almost all the Eastern Caribbean states.

Several persons here are afraid that they might have already been scammed.

The Police Press Office could not confirm whether the Force has received any official reports on this matter.

Another one of the bogus notes.

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Inglis sustained multiple chop wounds to the head.

A Bocage farmer is nursing injuries to his head, after he was brutally chopped by someone or a group of individuals.

Reports are that Johnny Inglis, left his home to attend to his farm on Sunday, January 3, at about 8:39 a.m., but never returned.

Relatives said they became worried and went around the community, to inquire about his whereabouts.

But after they couldn’t locate him, they formed a search party with the help of neighbours. This also proved unsuccessful.

However, Inglis showed up the next day, with deep chop wounds to his head. Based on the severity of the lacerations, relatives believe that it must have been inflicted on him, with the use of a cutlass.

Inglis was rushed to Victoria Hospital, where he remains a patient. He does not recall what happened.

Police have been on the ground carrying out their investigations.

Relatives are urging anyone with information about this incident to contact the police.

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DEAD: Marcus Nelson.

PRESS RELEASE – Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 42 year old, Marcus Nelson alias “Bowcha” of Morne Repos Hill, Laborie.

On Tuesday, January 5, 2016 about 6: 30p.m. Nelson was discovered motionless in a supine position, on the verge of a road in Morne Repos Hill. His body had what appeared to be a puncture wound to the chest and a near severed right wrist.

He was pronounced dead on the scene by a medical doctor.

A post mortem examination conducted on the body of Nelson revealed that he died as a result of carcinogenic and hemorrhagic shock due to a stab wound to the chest.

This is the second homicide for the year 2016.

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Residents of Forestiere are making plans to form a watch group with the assistance of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), following a series of burglaries over the past couple of months.

Forestiere Development Committee (FDC) Public Relations Officer Kelly Ann Gajadhar told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the decision was taken on Wednesday.

Gajadhar said the community has suffered greatly from the recent burglaries, explaining that residents now feels unsafe, after five burglaries occurred in one night.

Having realized that the need for serious intervention, the FDC reached out to the RSLPF for assistance and several officials from various departments within the Force agreed to meet with residents.

The meeting was held on Wednesday, January 7, 2016 at the Forestiere Methodist Combined School with the officers, community members and the development committee.

Two officers from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) namely, Nile Trim and Eldin Antoine, and one from the Police Complaints Unit, Sergeant Shervon Matthew, were in attendance.

Gajadhar said the meeting was well attended and the parliamentary representative, Guy Joseph, was also in attendance. Residents were given safety tips and they looked at solutions to help curb the situation.

“Sergeant Matthew was the facilitator for the night and he came well prepared to address the issue and also to clarify any questions or information on laws that the community members had,” she said.

After several hours of discussions, it was agreed that a community watch team would be formed.

Sergeant Matthew, she said, agreed to get some further details from successful watch groups and liaise with the development committee, to successfully start the watch group in the coming weeks.

Gajadhar said members of the community expressed satisfaction with this move and the committee looks forward to working closely with RSLPF to help the community become a safer place.

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Bordelais Correctional Facility

The weak judicial system is being blamed for the massive overcrowding taking place at the island’s main penal institution – Bordelais Correctional Facility (BCF) – which now has a total prison population of 607.

The institution, which was built some 14 years ago, was designed to accommodate only 450 inmates, but has since exceeded this mark every year and the number keeps growing daily.

Office-in-Charge of Operations at BCF, Clive Jules, told HTS News Force in a recent interview that this is causing major problems for persons working at the institution.

Jules explained that remand inmates are dealt with by the courts and the BCF cannot refuse them. “It is our responsibility as part of the judicial system is to receive these inmates,” he said.

However, the prison official said, he is hoping that the courts will soon be able to bring some relief the BCF of some of the overcrowding problems that they are currently faced with.

He noted that of the 607 inmates, half of that amount is persons who have been placed on remand.

In providing a breakdown of the inmates charged for serious crimes, Jules said, 106 persons are on murder/ causing death charges; 25 for attempted murder and 10 for firearm/ammunition.

In addition to that, 18 inmates are facing sex with minor charges, rape (18); indecent assault (5); grievous harm (22); robbery (30); burglary (25); incest (2); arson (3); cannabis (25); cocaine (17).

Jules said while 258 inmates are serving out sentences, 349 are still awaiting trial.

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Left to right: : Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation Mikael Barfod, British High Commissioner Victoria Dean, and the Ambassador of France Eric de Moussaye.

A group of European diplomats are expected to hold discussions on security and justice with Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony on January 14, 2016.

The high level team includes: Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation Mikael Barfod, British High Commissioner Victoria Dean, and the Ambassador of France Eric de Moussaye.

According to a statement published by the EU, the purpose of the meeting is not only to discuss security and justice, but also to follow-up on the publication of the IMPACS report.

The EU delegation will also take the opportunity to discuss with the Prime Minister, key issues related to development cooperation, including the new Owen-EU Hospital.

A press conference is scheduled to take place on that same day by the three Heads of Mission at 12.30 p.m. at the Alliance Française at Pointe Seraphine.

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PRESS RELEASE – On Friday, January 8, 2016 police formally arrested and charged Troy Philomon of Bagatelle, Castries for the offence of assault.

Philomon, a Special Police Constable, was charged with two (2) counts of assault for allegedly assaulting Ruth Edmund of Paix Bouche, Babonneau on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 about 8:33 a.m. at the Babonneau Police Station.

He was granted bail in the sum of EC$750 on each count.

The matter has been set for February 4, 2016 in the First District Court.

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DEAD: Joseph Herman

The woman accused of stabbing 45-year-old Joseph Herman on Old Year’s night has been officially charged.

Reports are that Melissa Joseph was charged with ‘causing death’ on Friday, January 8, 2016.

Herman was allegedly stabbed six times on Old Year’s night on Jeremie Street, Castries. He later succumbed to his injuries on New Year’s Day.

Herman’s relatives claim Joseph had issued death threats to him on countless occasions and both he and his girlfriend, Jacky Roberts, were constantly harassed by the woman.

They said the matter had been before the courts for the past 9 years.

Reports are that on the night of the stabbing, Joseph allegedly issued more death threats to Roberts, forcing her to seek protection at a nearby boutique.

Roberts called Herman to get her, but when he showed up, he was allegedly attacked by Joseph and a group of thugs. He was stabbed and left on the pavement, before being rushed to the hospital, where he later died.

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One of two suspected bandits was shot in the leg while attempting to break into the Morne Bakery.

The incident is reported to have occurred at around 3:38 a.m. today (Jan.10).

Reports are that police saw two men attempting to break into the business place and opened fire.

Winston Fortune, 39, of Ciceron, sustained a gunshot wound to the right leg.

Investigations are ongoing.

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Another chopping incident occurred early this morning.

Reports are that Nickson Edmund, 18, sustained injuries to his head, during a chopping incident in Ravine Poisson.

The incident is reported to have occurred at around 1 a.m today (Jan. 10).

His condition is unknown at this time.

No more details available.

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PRESS RELEASE – On Friday, January 8, 2016 police formally charged 21 year old, Devon Estwick of Leslie Land, Castries for the offences of possession of firearm and possession of ammunition.

Estwick was searched by police on Thursday, January 7, 2016 after responding to a report of stealing in Leslie Land, Castries.

During the search, the police discovered one .45 pistol and two (2) rounds of ammunition concealed on his person.

Estwick is scheduled to make an appearance before the First District Court on Monday, January 11, 2016.

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PRESS RELEASE – On Sunday, January 10, 2015 about 3:19 a.m. police responded to a report of a burglary at the Morne Bakery in Morne Fortune, Castries.

Upon arrival, police encountered two (2) suspects who were in possession of housebreaking implements.

The police officers identified themselves and in the process of apprehending the suspects, a police officer discharged one (1) round of ammunition.

As a result, one of the suspects sustained a single gunshot wound to the left thigh.

The suspect was transported to the Victoria Hospital where he was treated and discharged.

Both suspects are in custody assisting with investigations.

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PRESS RELEASE – On Friday, January 8, 2016 police formally charged 32 year old, Melissa Joseph of Capitol Hill, Castries for the offence of Murder.

Joseph was charged in connection with the death of 45 year old, Joseph Herman of Capitol Hill, Castries.

Herman was admitted to the Victoria Hospital on Thursday, December 31, 2015 after sustaining multiple stab wounds to the body on Jeremie Street, Castries but succumbed to his injuries on Friday, January 1, 2016.

Joseph is scheduled to make an appearance before the First District Court on Monday, January 11, 2016.

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