PRESS RELEASE – The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is seeking the assistance of the public in locating Deidre Jeffrey, last known address Mary Ann Street, Castries and Soufriere.
Jeffrey should get in contact with the DPP’s office urgently. This is in connection with an ongoing matter.
Deidre Jeffrey can contact the office at telephone numbers 4523636/4683188.
Forty-one special police constables undertook a six-month course of intense training, and have now been welcomed to the ranks of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF).
Course 34 of the RSLPF Academy graduated on Friday, February 27, 2016.
The official ceremony was attended by Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony, Cabinet colleagues, including National Security Minister Victor La Cobinierre, gazetted officers, friends, and family.
Photos: Office of the Prime Minister
PRESS RELEASE – The Royal Saint Lucia Police Training Academy turned out a class of 41 new officers on Friday, February 26, 2016. The graduation ceremony for Course 34 was held at the Academy in La Toc, Castries.
After six months of training, the graduates are now full-fledged officers. Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony pointed out to the new class that their cohort was larger than the than the entire Police Force of Saint Lucia when it was formed in 1834. Calling law enforcement a “great and noble undertaking,” he went on to thank the former recruits for joining the force “at an exciting time.”
Said Dr. Anthony,
“As with all police agencies, the core of your organisation is not equipment; it is not police buildings or firepower. No, you are the core of this organisation. You are called today to continue and build upon a legacy devoted to law and order.
“And inasmuch as you are in a disciplined force, it means that discipline must remain etched in your minds, must be a constant in all that you plan and do to execute your functions and duties. Much is demanded of you.
“You will be called upon to be role models for young people. You will be called to demonstrate the values which our society recognise and subscribe to.
“You will be called to defend and protect the person, honour and integrity of our citizens.
“Your image is, therefore, priceless and cannot be taken for granted.”
The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to reiterate a call he made in 2015, at the RSLPF promotion ceremony. On that occasion, he spoke on the importance of leadership, and told officers they needed to move to more “intelligence-based policing.” Said Dr. Anthony: “Your greatest strength, your greatest weapon must be your mind, not your arm.”
The latest group of police officers is the first to be recruited exclusively from the ranks of special police constables.
In attendance at Friday’s ceremony were the Prime Minister; Minister of Home Affairs and National Security, Hon. Victor Philip La Corbiniere; Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr. Errol Alexander; Cabinet colleagues; gazetted officers; other police officers from the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF); family and friends of the new officers.
An increasing trend of burglaries is a growing concern for police officers in Saint Lucia, according to Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Sergeant Linus George.
George who made an appearance on Police Insight on Sunday, cautioned all law-biding citizens to stop buying stolen items or items that does not have a receipt.
He said persons found with stolen items could face criminal charges and must therefore avoid these purchases.
The Police sergeant disclosed that most burglaries are committed by individuals who are unemployed, despite employed persons are sometimes fingered in these crimes too.
He urged citizens not to purchase any goods from someone who is unemployed, because it raises a lot of questions as to where that person may have acquired the item from.
George also urged parents to pay closer attention to their children and said if their children are seen with items, particularly gadgets that they do not own, they must investigate where they got it from.
The Police official also used the opportunity to encourage persons to report any incident of burglaries or other crime, so that the matter could be properly investigated.
While he admitted that the Police is faced with some challenges, particularly as it relates to lack of human resources and the closure of the Forensic Lab, George said the police continues to do its best to solve these crimes.
PRESS RELEASE – On Friday, February 25, 2016 a post mortem was conducted on the body of 28 year old, Jason Jones, an English National who was vacationing in Canelles, Micoud.
The post mortem revealed that he died as a result of drowning.
No foul play has been suspected in this matter.
On Wednesday, February 24, 2016 about 9: 30 a.m. Jones’ lifeless body was discovered on Anse Ger Beach in Micoud.
PRESS RELEASE – On Wednesday, February 24, 2016 a post mortem was conducted on the body of 37 year old, Simbert John Loctor also known as “smokey” of Boguis, Babonneau.
The examination revealed that he died as a result of Carbonate Poisoning which caused respiratory failure and muscle paralysis.
No foul play suspected in this matter.
On Sunday, February 21, 2016 about 8:00 a.m. Loctor was discovered lifeless by a relative at his residence in Boguis.
Left to right: Melanie King, Toyarn King.
The woman accused of brutally attacking a Saltibus teen and causing her to suffer major injuries to her nose and parts of her body has decided to tell her part of the story.
Melanie King, who requested not be referred to as the teen’s step-mother, said she was visiting her mother who lives in Piaye on Tuesday, February 16, when the fight occurred.
“I left my two sons with their father Grutus Stephen (also father of Chevy Stephen). I arrived at my mother’s house in Piaye at approximately 7 p.m. and spent only a few minutes there,” she said.
King said she was waiting on a bus to return home in Choiseul at approximately 7:30 p.m. when she saw Dawn Stephen (Stephen’s mother) getting off a bus and assumed it came from Vieux-Fort.
“I walked towards the bus to find out whether it was a Choiseul bus. However, it was a Saltibus bus. Therefore, I walked back to where I was standing,” she explained.
At about 7:45 p.m., King said she saw Stephen’s approaching. King was in the company of her sister, who she said, later accompanied her to the road to await transportation.
“Stephen’s left all of the space there was to pass and squeezed her herself between Toyarn and I, and brushed us both. She then began to verbally assault us and there was an exchange of words.”
According to King, when Stephen’s met a group of friends, they encouraged her to walk back towards her and her sister, and she did that and started threatening them.
“She came right into my face and gestured at me with her hands threateningly and violated my private space. She continuously poked me with a packet of biscuits,” King claims.
Despite several warnings, Stephen’s did not back down and according to King, she kept backing away from the road and got onto the grass bordering the road.
“Stephen followed and slapped me across my face. I slapped her back and that is when the fight started. She kept on punching my belly and saying repeatedly, “I killing that child. You not carrying that child.”
King, who is eight months pregnant said, “With the weight of my belly, a bag on my side and Stephen’s height and size I was overpowered by her. She grabbed me by hair and used her other hand to punch me.”
It was at this point when King’s sister, Toyarn, intervened and attempted to get Stephen off her sister but Stephen allegedly held on tight to her hair.
“She bit my finger and all the while she still had me by my hair. She punched me several times with one hand while she continued to hold my hair with the other and fought with Toyarn simultaneously.”
King claims Stephen also pulled her by the hair towards the road and in the process they both fell. King said she bruised her knees and Stephen allegedly proceeded to kick her in the belly.
“The fight soon ended. Stephen walked to her home with the help of no one. Toyarn and I have no idea how Stephen got the injury. All we know is that she walked herself to her home,” she concluded.
King said she visited the St. Jude’s Hospital for a medical examination and medical statement since she had been experiencing periodic pains since the very night after the fight.
“I have been hospitalized since and I am uncertain as to when I will be discharged. I am also working on filing an assault charge against Chevy Stephen,” she ended.
However, King and her sister were jointly charged with grievous harm when they made an appearance at the Second District Court on Tuesday, February 23.
King, 27, was placed on $1,000 bail, while her sister, Toyarn King, 20, was placed on $2,000 bail.
They were both granted bail under strict conditions.
Both sisters were asked by the court not to interfere with the victim and stay 100 meters away from her. They were also asked to report to the police frequently, until the conclusion of the matter.
The case was adjourned to April 12 for case management.
PRESS RELEASE – “Know Your Laws” is a production of the Press Office of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force.
DUTY TO SUPPLY NECESSARIES OF HEALTH AND LIFE
(Section 107: CRIMINAL CODE OF SAINT LUCIA 2008)
(1) A person is under a legal duty—
(a) as a parent, foster parent, guardian or head of a family, to provide necessaries of life for a child under the age of 16 years;
(b) as a married person, to provide necessaries of life to his or her spouse; and
(c) to provide necessaries of life to a person under his or her charge, if that person—
(i) is unable, by reason of detention, age, illness, mental disorder or other cause, to withdraw himself or herself from that charge, and
(ii) is unable to provide himself or herself with necessaries of life.
A person who commits an offence under this section commits an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years.
…
(5) A woman, who gives birth to a child, is under a duty to do all that is necessary and reasonable to protect and preserve the newly born child from harm by exposure, exhaustion, or otherwise.
(6) Without prejudice to subsection (5) the woman is under a duty to support and take reasonable care of the child until it can safely be weaned.
(7) A person who unlawfully imprisons another person is under a duty to supply him or her with the necessaries of health and life.
(8) A person who agrees or undertakes to supply any of the necessaries of health and life to another person, either as his or her apprentice, or otherwise, is under a duty to supply them accordingly.
(9) If a person who is under a duty to supply the necessaries of health and life in accordance with this section does not have the means to do so and there is any other person or public authority bound to provide him or her with such means, he or she is under a duty to take all reasonable steps to obtain such means from that person or public authority.
(10) If a person, being under a duty to supply any of the necessaries of health and life to another person, lawfully charges his wife or her husband, or any other person with the supply of such necessaries, and furnishes the means for that purpose, the wife or husband, or other person so charged is under a duty to supply such necessaries accordingly.
(11) “Necessaries of health and life” include proper food, clothing, shelter, warmth, medical or surgical treatment and any other matters which are reasonably necessary for the preservation of the health and life of a person.
“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”.
Police have arrested a Pavee man who is in his 30’s, for allegedly stalking a woman and her five-year-old child for some time now.
Nikita (only name given), told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) on Wednesday that the alleged stalker has a mental past and was a previous patient at the Mental Wellness Centre.
The Morne Du Don resident said the man who use to frequent her community, would say howdy and she would do the human thing and reply each time he spoke to her.
But she later learnt about his past and was told that he served a three years prison sentence before she got to know him.
Nikita said he would later pass her home and stare at her and her family in a strange and frightening way. The man allegedly started telling people that she is his girlfriend, something she denies.
The woman said things didn’t stop there, because he came several other times and harassed her family. Despite making a police report, the police was unable to do anything because of the lack of transportation.
Things didn’t change, because this year at Assou Square in Castries, Nikita had noticed him standing opposite the booth that she and her mother had acquired, staring at her every move.
But things got more frightening, when he went to the Vendors Arcade in Castries, where her mother works and attempted to speak with her 5-year-old girl child.
Nikita’s mother warned her and advised her to report the matter again to the police. She eventually realized that not only was he trying to speak with the child, but he was also stalking her at school.
“This morning I heard a parent speaking saying the guy was there this morning and he went to every classroom to look for the little girl. The other students were scared and screaming, because there was no security there as yet.” the distraught mother explained.
Nikita said she was able to get to the school on time to take her child. When she arrived there, she saw the man but lucky for her, he did not confront her nor did he say anything.
While he claims he also has a child attending that school, the woman said no one can confirm this.
Nikita said she called the police again who took her around the city in search of the man, but they came up empty handed.
She was later alerted that he was at the Vendors Arcade and she informed the police who took her to identify the man. He was arrested and taken to the police station.
“They took him to the Mental Wellness Centre. That is where he will be treated for about a week and discharged, so that he can come after us again,” she stressed.
The woman is afraid that the man could target her child and family again once he is back on the streets.
A young female was discovered hanging from the ceiling of a house in Trouya on Wednesday afternoon.
She has been identified as Bianca (only name given), a Digicel Call Centre staff.
The 24-year-old female was discovered at around 5 p.m. by relatives.
Police have responded and are currently at the scene conducting their investigations.
PRESS RELEASE – The Passing out Parade of Course 34 of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force on Friday, February 26, 2016, has ushered in an unprecedented opportunity for Special Police Constables within the Saint Lucia Police Force to advance to full–fledged Police Officers.
In the past the progression from Special Police Constables (SPCs) to appointed Police Officers of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force was not readily available.
Minister for Home Affairs and National Security, Senator the Honourable Victor Philip La Corbiniere indicated how pleased he was to see this change come into fruition.
“I am particularly happy to see this graduating class because somewhere in the region of four years ago when I came into office, I thought to introduce the idea of Special Police Constables being able to move from that point of their career into the regular Police Force. Of course, all of you would know that as Special Police Constables you have in fact done everything that you do in policing.”
The Minister noted that the duties, experience and exposure of Special Police Constables are in essence similar to that of regular Police Officers.
“And so in my mind, there had to be an opportunity to be able to afford some transition into regular policing.”
The newly trained Police Constables will deploy throughout the island. The Minister also emphasized that the balance between experience and academic qualifications must always be maintained. He said experience has to count in the way such opportunities were being rated.
Forty-one (41) officers graduated and launched a new page in their new careers on Monday, February 29, 2016.
A man was stabbed twice at the Castries market on Wednesday, according to reports.
The unknown male sustained stab wounds to his chest and buttocks around 8-9 a.m. (Mar.2).
A vendor told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the victim was in the market to collect cash owed to him, by one of the vendors, and was attacked in the process by a few men.
The vendor claims that the person who owed the man, allegedly set up the men to attack him.
“People in the market are now saying they realize that the guy is a dangerous guy, because he owes the man and instead of paying the man, he asked him to come for his money and set up people to stab him,” the source alleges.
SNO understands that during the stabbing incident, vendors started running away from their stalls to avoid the attackers and in the process of doing so, a female vendor fell and injured her head.
The woman and the stabbed victim were both taken to the hospital for treatment.
Police are investigating this incident.
PRESS RELEASE – On Thursday, March 03, 2016 a post mortem was conducted on the body of 25 year old Bianca Felix of Trouya, Gros-Islet.
The examination revealed that she died as a result of asphyxia secondary to hanging.
No foul play has been suspected in this matter.
A woman has died in a suspected drowning at Micoud, police officials have confirmed.
The victim has been identified as Siona John,38, of New Extension, Micoud, whose body was discovered floating at sea around 14:00 p.m. near Anse Captain Beach.
In a press statement issued by the Police Public Relations Department, it said the woman’s body was transported to the St. Jude Hospital, where she was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.
Investigations are continuing into this matter.
Drug enforcement officials have arrested three men, one Vincentian and two Saint Lucians, during a drug operation conducted in Vieux Fort on Thursday evening.
Reports are that the joint operation took place at Shanty Town Beach, where several pounds of marijuana was recovered by law enforcement officers on a local go-fast vessel.
The Police Press Office said on Friday that four bales and five bags of compressed cannabis weighing 97.3 kilos (214lbs) were discovered and seized after it was jettisoned from the go-fast vessel. A further 1.4 kilos (3lbs) was discovered on the person of one of the suspects.
The local go-fast vessel was about to land the controlled drugs into Saint Lucia.
During the drug operation, one of the three men sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg and was taken to the hospital for treatment, while one person managed to escape.
The operation was carried out by members of the Drug Unit, the Special Services Unit (SSU) and the Marine Police around 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 2016.
The Police Press Office said no police officer was shot or injured during the operation and United States Assets were not involved in this operation.
Residents had reported hearing gunshots in the area.
Charges are expected to be laid soon.
PRESS RELEASE – Zandoli International Foundation and Zandoli Saint Lucia will meet with the Minister of Health, Hon. Alvina Reynolds on Monday March 7th. 2016, to deliver a petition for the establishment of a Saint Lucia Sex Offender Registry.
Zandoli has noted the tremendous support from Saint Lucians both at home and in the diaspora in favour for the sex offender registry.
The organization continues to be concerned about the numerous rapes and child molestation cases which have been recorded here for decades.
The recent further increase in statistics for sex crimes released by the police for 2015 is more cause for concern and the organization believes that this sex offender registry will be yet another step in the right direction in fighting these crimes
Zandoli calls on all good Saint Lucians to support this fight against Rape and Child Molestation.
A Zandoli press conference will follow the submission of the petition.
PRESS RELEASE – Crime prevention means being aware of your environment and remaining alert to situations that could make you vulnerable to crime. We cannot list specific measures that will protect you from every threatening situation, which may arise.
Instead, we hope to teach you how to think “Crime Prevention” in day-to-day living
Criminal Code of St Lucia 2008
Stealing From Person
According to Section 198 of the Criminal Code of S Lucia 2008
“(1) Subject to subsection (2), any person who steals from another person is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 7 years, or on summary conviction to imprisonment for 2 years.
(2) If because of a previous conviction either summarily or on indictment, for a similar offence, or for any other cause the magistrate is of opinion that a summary charge under this section ought to be tried as an indictable offence he or she may deal with it as such.
(3) Property is stolen from a person if it is stolen from the body, clothes, or immediate presence of a person”.
The 2015 Crime statistics revealed that for that year, 555 incidents of Stealing from Person occurred.
Here are some tips one can use to lessen the chances of being a victim of this crime:
‘Do have a great and safe weekend”
PRESS RELEASE – It is alarming the figures shown for suicide deaths in Saint Lucia from 2011 to now, 2016.
Suicide is a serious public health problem that can have lasting, significant effects on youth, families, peers, and communities.
Our youth are facing many challenges and the prevalence of mental health problems among young people is not reflected by their use of services; meaning that many avoid services and, subsequently, this is manifested through increased numbers of suicide.
The causes of suicide among youth are complex and involve many factors. Reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors and resilience is critical at this juncture.
It is a very concerning pattern of behavior we are recognizing. This is why the Saint Lucia National Youth Council wants to collaborate with the other relevant agencies such as Ministry of Health, Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations, Crisis Center, Churches etc. to implement youth focused suicide prevention strategies.
Moreover it is imperative that we place emphasis on the participation, support, and active involvement of families, schools, and communities in order for measures towards addressing this societal issue to be effective.
For this year 2016 and moving forward, suicide prevention, intervention and post-intervention especially among our youth, should be of greater priority to all agencies involved.
Suicide is seemingly no longer gender biased, and so, every effort must be geared towards tackling the underlying issues that both genders may face.
The Saint Lucia National Youth Council sympathizes with the family of Ms. Bianca Felix, a youth of great charisma, who unfortunately has departed this world in the prime of life.
We take this opportunity to urge youth to seek help when needed. It is of great human resource loss when such youthful lives are taken whether it is on their own accord or forced by the hands of someone else.
A man was killed in La Croix, Maingot during an altercation with a man reported to be his younger brother late Friday evening.
The victim has been identified as Sebastien Mitchell, 42, who was reportedly shot once in the chest area.
Reports are that at around 11:30 p.m. the man was in a heated argument with the alleged brother when he was shot and killed.
A motive for the killing has not yet been established, however, the police are investigating.
We will provide you with more details as soon as it becomes available.
DEAD: Norbert Leonce
A man was discovered hanging at Babonneau early this morning.
He has been identified as Norbert Leonce, 39, of Cabiche, Babonneau.
Leonce’s body was discovered by neighbours hanging from a small mango tree.
The handyman was last seen by relatives around 9 p.m. Saturday.
Leonce lived alone in an old wooden house and did menial tasks for people in the community.
He had no children nor girlfriend, but relatives said he was a kind individual.
One of the man’s relative, Monica, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that despite his lifestyle, she was shocked when neighbours alerted them that Leonce had allegedly hung himself.
“He is my husband’s cousin and he was so close to us, I couldn’t stand going to see him on the tree. I never heard him being in any trouble, but he was always drinking,” she said.
Leonce would have celebrated his 40th birthday on June 6, 2016.
Leonce’s house
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