PRESS RELEASE – On Saturday, February 13, 2016 about 9:00 a.m. 72 year old John Francis Mc Diarmed of Augier, Vieux Fort was stabbed in the right eye by 30 year old Terrance Mitchel alias “Wash” of the same address.

This incident took place at Augier, Vieux Fort.

Mc Diarmed was transported to the St. Jude Hospital for medical treatment.

On Sunday, February 14, 2016 police formally arrested and charged Mitchel for the offence of Maim.  He made an appearance before the Second District Court on Monday, February 15, 2016.

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(1) A person who intentionally causes a maim or any dangerous harm to any other person is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 20 years or on summary conviction for 5 years.

(2) A person who recklessly causes a maim or any dangerous harm to another is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 10 years or on summary conviction to imprisonment for 3 years.

(3) In this section—

“Dangerous harm” means harm endangering life;

“Maim” means the destruction or permanent disabling of any external or internal organ, limb or faculty.

“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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Laurent.

A St. Lucian man was killed outside his home in Brooklyn, USA on Saturday night, according to media reports.

He has been identified as 24-year-old Javane Laurent.

Sources have told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that Laurent hailed from Babonneau in St. Lucia. He was described as a good upcoming DJ by a friend.

Media reports in New York have stated that Laurent was shot twice in the chest following a verbal dispute with another man.

The incident reportedly occurred about 5:45 p.m. in front of 1205 East 93 Street in Canarsie.

The New York Post reported that Laurent was taken to Brookdale Hospital but could not be saved.

No arrests have been made and no suspects have been identified, The Post also reported.

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A female store attendant was raped in the North of the island Tuesday.

Reports are that the woman was alone when two masked men entered her workplace tied her up and raped her.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 5 p.m., February 16, 2016 at Mongiraud, Gros-Islet.

This publication understands that one of the men had a gun in his possession.

This incident comes less than two weeks after a British female tourist was raped at her Cas en Bas villa.

The 45-year-old woman has reported the incident to local police and the British High Commission.

Police are investigating both incidents.

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St. Lucia police during a patrol. * Photo credit: Telesurv.

Attorney-at-Law, Mary Francis, is urging the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) to ensure that its members perform their duties within the laws and show some respect for citizens.

Francis comment comes in light of a recent alleged illegal police search conducted in the Marchand Boulevard, which members of that community has criticized the police for.

The alleged illegal police searches were conducted by a team of police officer at various homes, as part of investigations into the recent incident involving a Rose Hill resident who was attacked and robbed.

The attorney noted that the police must have in their possession, a search warrant, before they can enter into someone’s home and conduct a search on their premises, which is standard procedure.

She cautioned the Force to ensure that their members do not violate the rights of citizens, but instead work towards fostering greater community relations with members of these communities.

Francis said this recent incident does not auger well for the Force, since the police have already been in hot water for other serious violations over the past few years.

She is hoping that the management of the Force can look into the issue so that it does not occur again.

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The Royal St. Lucia Police Force has confirmed a rape report in Cas En Bas, Gros-Islet, five days after it was first published on St. Lucia News Online (SNO).

A statement issued by the Public Relations Department today (Feb.17) confirms that a female British citizen made a report with the Gros Islet Police Station of being raped on Saturday, February 6, 2016.

The incident allegedly took place in a guest house located at Cas En Bas.

Investigations are ongoing.

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A Saltibus teen is now suffering a broken nose after she was allegedly assaulted by her stepmother and the woman’s sister on Tuesday evening.

Chervy Stephen, 18, of Piaye was on her way home when she was allegedly blocked by the women, who attacked her by throwing several punches.

A close friend of the young woman told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today that the teen and her stepmother would have exchanged words in the past, but Stephen would avoid her.

According to the friend, who asked not to be named, Stephen recalls that she was walking through a passageway towards her home, when the two women confronted her and started to beat up on her.

Stephen’s father and her stepmother share two children together and is preparing to welcome a new baby, since the stepmother is currently 8 months pregnant.

The teen’s friend told SNO that the Stephen’s father, who is a former police officer, had left her mother for the stepmother and both parties have never seen eye-to-eye.

The matter was reported to the Choiseul Police Station, but the officers are awaiting a medical report from the teen before they proceed with the matter.

Stephen is currently a patient at Victoria Hospital and is expected to undergo surgery to her nose today.

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A senior constable of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) who is presently on pre-retirement leave was charged with the offence of rape on Wednesday, February 17, 2016.

The charge stemmed from an investigation which began in October 2015.

He made an appearance before the First District Court where he was remanded and scheduled to make a further court appearance on Tuesday, February 23, 2016.

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PRESS RELEASE – This week alone three matters have come to the news involving rape.

One involving a policeman, another where a woman was allegedly raped in the privacy of her residence and now a young girl a victim of the act whilst at work. All three acts must have been a horrendous experience to the victims. The reports are that crimes of sexual assault and rape have been on the increase.

Citizens will remember the recent cases of the two young schoolgirls in the Reduit area and the elderly grandmother in Micoud who were subjected to such extreme violence.

With all the excuses Mr. La Corbinere has been giving for the lack of resources and poor state of operations under our national security, we now read in a weekend newspaper a report bybMicah George quoting Acting Commissioner Alexander as describing the problems of investigating serious crimes with a closed down crime laboratory. Alexander says that results from forty-two samples are still being awaited from overseas. That in it self must amount to a lot of work the police have to send overseas whilst our lab remains closed. He also laments the situation is so grave that persons arrested have to be released pending the arrival of results and which in itself is cause for even more concern.

So while the public is being asked to cooperate with the police by way of providing information, success will come not only from that, but the kind of evidence required to stand up in a court. How then will our police officers be able to solve rapes and murders and other serious crimes? Already we are not sure as to the level of victim counseling girls and women are receiving and if that occurs in all cases.

Like others concerned, again we ask Minister LaCorbiniere, when will the crime lab be reopened after being closed for so long? Is it due to a lack of staff, money, resources or someone to run the lab or maybe it is not a priority. When will results of tests sent overseas finally arrive in St. Lucia and how much will it cost taxpayers? Is it that to get answers and action we must go through the channels of the European Ambassadors, as it is quite apparent that the voices of St. Lucians do not seem to matter much?

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Mary Francis

Human Rights activist, Mary Francis, is encouraging citizens to advocate for the establishment of a Human Rights Commission in Saint Lucia.

Francis said as the country prepares for another election, all parties vying for office, who want to work for the people, must also consider establishing a Human Rights Commission, something she believes is desperately needed.

“I’ve spent the past 10 years of my life advocating for improvements in the justice system. It’s all about protection of human rights. If you don’t have a proper justice system, how can you have proper protection of human rights?” the attorney questioned.

While emphasizing the fact that the police is the main law enforcement agency, Francis said they too have had some of the biggest alleged perpetrators of violation of human rights.

On the other hand, the government, she said, will not provide legal aid for persons who are victims of state violation of human rights. “It’s a fact, and it is wrong. We must address it,” she asserted.

Francis told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that it takes too long for victims of state violations to go to court and get the justice they deserve. She said there have been instances where persons wait for years.

The attorney stated that there is also a lot of young men who can’t walk because they were either maimed or shot by police, under questionable circumstances.

She said, “It is time that the powers that be focus on the plight of the people, because we have a constitution which guarantees fundamental human rights and freedom and because of that they must be done in terms of making those rights and freedoms a reality.”

Francis said the independent body will help to address the increasing number of  human rights violation.

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A male dance instructor is facing indecent assault charges following an incident involving a 12-year-old girl, who has been a student of one of his classes since she was five.

The child’s mother told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that she discovered on January 11 that her teen daughter and the dance instructor (name withheld) had been communicating via WhatsApp.

The woman said she was shocked by the content of the messages, which she indicated to this publication were X-rated and contained sexual advances made by the instructor.

The woman questioned her teen daughter about it and she told her mother that her dance instructor had not only made sexual advances towards her, but he touched her inappropriately.

While the woman did not reveal greater details, she told SNO that the child related to her that the dance instructor allegedly took her to his place, where he touched her private parts.

“She said she was scared and was worried about him going to jail and like the other dancers knew…and the way they would watch her…so she was afraid to talk about it,” the mother explained

The angry woman said after listening to her daughter’s story, she decided to contact the Human Services Department and they referred her to the Vulnerable Persons Unit of the Police Force.

The matter was investigated and a statement was taken from the teen.

The dance instructor was then arrested a couple days later and made his first court appearance on January 22, where he was charged and later placed on $4,000 bail. He was also issued with a restraining order.

The mother told SNO that after the dance instructor was charged, he called to speak with her (the mother) and told her that nothing happened between him and her daughter, and wanted to know what the child told her.

However, the mother refused to give him any detail but cautioned him to stay away from her daughter. “I told him I can’t get into that I didn’t tell him what she said,” she explained.

But the mother said she is even more upset that he is still teaching despite being charged.

The woman told SNO that she is afraid that the same thing could happen to another person’s child, noting that many parents trust him with their daughters, but are not aware of the incident.

“As far as I know, that is not even the first case that has happened, but I guess nobody was brave enough to do what is right. He has been a teacher for many years,” she told SNO.

The woman said she is still surprised by the incident because he often refers to his dancers (all girls), as his daughters. And her daughter, like many others, would spend time at his home dancing.

The 12-year-old child is currently receiving counselling and is no longer attending dance lessons.

The dance instructor is due to make another court appearance in March.

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A retiree was robbed by five armed men in Lastic Hill, Catries Friday.

Gabriel king, 69, was cornered by the men and forced to hand over his wallet, jewelry and cellular phone.

King’s daughter, Mesha, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that her father was walking through a “short cut,” which links Bois Patat and Lastic Hill, around 13:30 p.m., when he was robbed.

She said her father recalled that all five men were masked and heavily armed. While most of them had sharp weapons, including cutlasses, one of them had a handgun.

One holding a cutlass, raised it at King, but was advised by his one of his gang members, not to hurt anyone. Mesha said given this move, her father is convinced that it might be someone who knows him.

The man’s daughter said while the area is known to have questionable characters passing through particularly at nights, it is relatively safe to walk during the day, because people would frequent the area.

But this incident has changed their thoughts about the place they called home for the past 40 years.

The matter was reported to the Marchand Police Station and the Central Police Station.

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Gunmen opened fire at a house in Beauséjour, Gros Islet on Saturday, February 20, following a failed robbery.

Reports are that four men from Reduit, Gros Islet attempted to rob a young man who fought them off.

A source told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that two of the four men, sustained stab wounds and the young man sustained three long lacerations about his body.

In retaliation, the friends of the four men, allegedly went to the victim’s mother’s house at Beausejour and discharged several rounds through a kitchen window.

The incident took place around 4 a.m. Saturday.

While the police have confirmed receiving this report, they could not confirm the details.

Investigation are ongoing.

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Government plans to give serious consideration to a number of ideas and suggestions made by groups and individuals, towards helping to address the high prison population on island.

One of the main ideas being considered is the use of tracking devices for suspected criminals.

National Security Minister, Victor La Corbiniere, said the topic is back on the table and will be looked at from the point of view that it will allow individuals some freedom, pending the hearing of matters.

The minister said there are a number of issues which lends to the current crisis, one in particular is the rehabilitation of the courts, which has significantly disrupted the flow of hearings for some time.

La Corbiniere revealed that in addition to repairing the poor infrastructure at the courts, the government might have to consider hiring an additional judge to clear the backlog of cases.

But the minister said this is just one of many ideas that the government is looking at to help lower the remand population and deal with cases more speedily.

The Bordelais Correctional Facility, 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.

Recent information states that 258 inmates are serving out sentences, while 349 are still awaiting trial.

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A man was found dead at his residence at Boguis, Babonneau around 7 a.m., Sunday, February, 21.

The dead man has been identified as Simbert John, also known as Smokey, who is in his 30’s.

Reports are that John died of suspected suicide.

Relatives found a bottle containing a poisonous substance next to his bed side and said that John had threatened to commit suicide.

It was reported that John’s wife of three months left the house and emptied it on Saturday.

Investigations are ongoing.

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(1) An animal found—

(a) tied, wandering, straying, or lying in such a manner as to cause obstruction, danger, damage or injury to any user of the highway or a public place;

(b) on any land adjacent to or adjoining a public way or highway which pose a threat of wandering unto the public way or highway,

may be seized by an authorized person and taken to an animal pound where the animal shall be impounded until its owner claims it and pays all the reasonable expenses incurred in its seizure and confinement, or until it is sold …

(2) The owner of an animal—

(a) who allows it to stray or ties or allows it to be tied; or

(b) which is otherwise found trespassing,

on or near a highway in a manner that is likely to cause obstruction, damage or injury to any user of the highway commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $5,000 or to imprisonment for 2 years or both.

(3) Where an animal cannot be seized or poses immediate danger to users of the public way or highway pursuant to subsection (1)—

(a) a police officer in uniform may shoot or immobilize the animal; or

(b) an authorized person may immobilize the animal.

(4) Where an animal is immobilized or shot in accordance with subsection (3)—

(a) the owner of the animal, if known, shall be notified by the police and he or she shall remove the animal or the carcass within 4 hours; or

(b) the animal or the carcass may be removed by the police and disposed of and the owner may be surcharged for the expense incurred in the removal and disposal.

(5) The Minister may make regulations concerning the manner of disposal of an animal or a carcass under subsection (4).

“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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PRESS RELEASE – Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 37 year old, Simbert John Loctor also known as “smokey” of Boguis, Babonneau.

On Sunday, February 21, 2016 about 8:00 a.m. Loctor was discovered lifeless by a relative at his residence in Boguis.

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

A post mortem has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 24, 2016.

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Police are investigating the death of a man whose body was found on Tuesday at Rock Hall, Marchand.

Residents said a high stench was coming from a building, which once housed a bakery at the intersection of Ravine Toutrelle and Rock Hall Road in the Castries East constituency.

They alerted the police, who later discovered the dead body at around 6:00 p.m.

Residents have identified the man as ‘Peter.’ They believe the corpse has been there for several days.

We will provide you with more details as soon as it becomes available.

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The body of a young British national was discovered Wednesday (Feb. 24) on the Anse Ger beach in Desruisseaux, police officials have confirmed.

The body has been identified as Jason Jones, 28, who was reported missing around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Reports are that Jones along with his girlfriend had been on a sightseeing expedition, when he fell into the sea in Canelles, Micoud. Attempts to rescue him were not successful.

A team from the Police Marine Unit in Vieux Fort were dispatched this morning in search of the missing man, but his body was discovered around 9:30 a.m. on the Anse Ger beach.

Investigations are ongoing.

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MISSING: Gilbert Burin

A 17-year-old boy who went missing on Sunday , February 21, 2016 about 5:30 a.m. has returned safely to his father’s home, the Police Public Relations Department has said.

Gilbert Burin of Grand Riviere, Gros-Islet left his father’s dwelling house in Grand Riviere, Gros-Islet on Sunday but never returned home. A missing person’s report was later filed with the police.

The Police Force had issued a statement this morning urging the public to assist with locating the youth.

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