Norbert Williams, Communications Director – Zandoli Int’l Foundation

A petition bearing over 1,000 signatures was presented to Minister of Health and Human Services, Alvina Reynolds, on Monday by Zandoli International Foundation, which is lobbying government to create a Sex Offender Registry in an effort to combat sex crimes in Saint Lucia.

Communications Director of Zandoli International Foundation, Norbert Williams, said the petition was well received by the Minister and other officials of that ministry and his organization is now hopeful that the petition will get the priority that it deserves.

Williams said now that the Minister is in possession of the petition, she will have to first present it to Parliament for discussion and it will then be forwarded to the relevant agency to handle the content of that petition.

“We are watching. We are aware that a number of organizations before have come along this way and we haven’t got too much of a result because we are still in the same position we’ve been for many years, although we have laws on the books,” Williams added.

Williams said his organization’s work goes beyond advocating for a Sex Offender Registry, but is also focused on seeing that sex crimes in Saint Lucia, particularly child molestation and rape, are significantly lowered.

“Rapes have gotten quite a bit of exposure and publicity because a number of high-profile incidents and particularly late last year with the rape of a 97-year-old woman in Mon Repos,” he said.

The Zandoli International Foundation official stated that for too long, nothing is done to address this issue and there is already public outcry about the need to do something that is meaningful and concrete to protect the children and vulnerable groups, particularly women, in Saint Lucia.

“We have to look at it from a holistic standpoint, because it’s not only looking at the registry and putting peoples name on the books, but we have to be concerned about enforcement. We also have also be concerned about what the education system is doing in terms of instilling values in young people today and we have to look at how the churches deal with people who have been affected,” he added

But more importantly, Williams is of the opinion that attention must also be paid to how government agencies respond to these issues and they must see how best they can work with all partners to ensure that something is done quickly to address this longstanding issue.

While some have predicted that creating a Sex Offender Registry here could prove catastrophic, especially for a small island state, Williams have suggested otherwise and said there is no evidence to prove that.

“We have a number of people convicted and they go about their normal business in Saint Lucia and nobody can point to any incident of any repercussions being touted as a negative for the Sex Offender Registry. In all states and every country where a Sex Offender Registry has been established, there is always strict guidelines on the use of those registries and there is always a strict disclaimer.”

On the other hand, Williams said in all the arguments, very rarely do people hear anything being said about the repercussions the victims of these crimes face.

Zandoli International Foundation has received the support of several local organisations.

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(1) It is an offence for an employer or a supervisor of an employee to make it reasonably appear to the employee that the prospects or working conditions of the employee are dependent upon the acceptance or tolerance by the employee of sexual advances or persistent sexual suggestions from the employer or supervisor.

(2) It is an offence for a prospective employer to make it reasonably appear to a person that–—

(a) an offer of employment to that person;

(b) the terms on which employment is so offered,

is or are dependent on that person’s acceptance or tolerance of sexual advances or tolerance of persistent sexual suggestions from the prospective employer.

(3) A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for one year.

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force would like to wish everyone a happy International Women’s Day.

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CARICOM Headquarters Georgetown, Guyana.

Zandoli International Foundation is lobbying organizations throughout the Caribbean to petition their governments to encourage them to set up individual Sex Offender Registries.

“We have made calls for a Sex Offender Registry in Barbados last week and we are working with a number of regional organizations which are all poised to petition their respective governments,” Communications Director of Zandoli International Foundation Norbert Williams said.

The Foundation has also formed an organization with members throughout the Caribbean called Caribbean Committee Against Sex Crimes, which is being chaired by a Trinidad attorney.

During the past year, Zandoli International Foundation has also been working on a treaty which it plans to present to CARICOM towards the end of this year for consideration of a Regional Sex Offenders Registry.

Williams said his organization is taking swift action because the Caribbean sex industry is growing rapidly and in some cases children are also involved in these illegal activities.

He said now that the US has been calling on countries in South East Asia to tighten enforcement, these predators are likely to find vulnerable countries to continue their illegal behaviour.

“What we find happening now is the path of these resistance is going to be us. So these sex tourists who want to capitalize on the weaker legislation or enforcement will gravitate to islands here,” he remarked.

Williams pointed to a recent move made by US President Barrack Obama to sign the International Megans Law which requires the US to report to any country, sex offenders who are travelling.

“So any sex offender in the US who is on the Sex Offender Registry will have an identifier placed on their passport. Once that is swiped at the airport or any port of entry or exit a flag is going to come up on the computer and the country they are travelling to will be notified,” he explained.

Within that same law, countries with their own Sex Offender Registry are required to inform the US of sex offenders travel to the US.

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PRESS RELEASE – The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is seeking the assistance of the public in locating Princess Polius, last known address, Goodlands, Castries.

Polius should get in contact with the DPP’s office urgently. This is in connection with an ongoing matter.
Princess Polius can contact the office at telephone numbers 4523636/4683188.

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Body Bag – Death Exhibition

The cause of death will be determined soon for the Canadian man who met his demise while hiking the Gros Piton on Saturday. A post-mortem examination is scheduled to take place today.

Christopher Diachuk, 61, a Canadian visitor collapsed while hiking the Gros Piton and never regained consciousness. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Diachuk, occupied a yacht which was anchored in the Soufriere Bay, but he apparently used an unauthorized tour to the Gros Piton trail where he passed away.

The Soufriere Regional Development Foundation (SRDF), which is the official agency responsible for these tours, has warned persons not to take the unofficial route for the trail.

The SRDF has also admitted that an uncertified groups have been conducting tours to the area as well.

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DEAD: Norbert Leonce

A post-mortem examination conducted on the body of Norbert Leonce, 39, of Cabiche, Babonneau on Monday, March 7, 2016 revealed that he died as a result of cerebral anoxia secondary to ligature hanging.

The Police in a press statement on Tuesday said no foul play has been suspected in this matter.

Leonce’s body was discovered by neighbours hanging from a small mango tree on Sunday, March 6.

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 would have celebrated his 40th birthday on June 6, 2016.

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Three masked men entered a Bocage family house on Tuesday and robbed them at gunpoint in broad daylight, demanding the keys to their car and the man’s licensed firearm.

The incident occurred at around 12: 50 p.m.

Alvin Hassell, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that he and his wife were in the kitchen cooking, while their nephew was sitting on the dining table when the men entered the house and held them at gunpoint.

“They demanded money, they took my watch and demanded the keys to my vehicle and they gave me a couple of lashes on my head with a cutlass,” he said.

But if this wasn’t enough, one of the bandits who claims to know Hassell, demanded that he hand over his firearm, but the man lied saying that his brother had the firearm.

“Then they threaten to shoot my wife in the head and she went and took my handbag and gave them the gun. So they proceeded to take my firearm and they threatened to shoot us,” he recalled.

While this was happening, one of the bandits went outside to start the car engine but he accidentally set off the alarm and the two others ran outside. They later escaped with his grey 2007 Grand Vitara.

Hassell told SNO that once the bandits had exited his house, he reached for his alarm and set it off.

The man said he has been living in the area for over 25 years. Bandits had previously broken and entered his house, but the couple were at work when that incident happened.

A report was made with the police regarding today’s robbery. Investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with information about the stolen car which bears registration number (PA 2208) are asked to contact the nearest police station.

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PRESS RELEASE – Police are investigating an aggravated burglary which occurred in Bocage, Castries.

According to reports, on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 about 12:00 p.m. three (3) armed masked men allegedly entered the dwelling house of 54-year-old Alvin Hassell of Bocage, Castries.

After assaulting the complainant, the perpetrators stole from the said dwelling house, one (1) firearm, and three (3) smartphones. They also stole one grey metallic Suzuki Grand Vitara registration number PA 2208.

Investigations are continuing into this matter.

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DEAD: Christopher Diachuk

A post-mortem examination has confirmed that the Canadian tourist who died while hiking Gros Piton during last weekend, suffered a heart attack.

The examination was conducted on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 on the body of Christopher Diachuk, 61.

The examination revealed that he died as a result of a heart attack due to coronary artery disease also known as heart disease (a buildup of plaque in your arteries, which blocks blood flow).

The Police Press Office said no foul play is suspected in this matter.

Diachuk had collapsed while hiking the Gros Piton and never regained consciousness. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

He occupied a yacht which was anchored in the Soufriere Bay, but he apparently used an unauthorized tour to the Gros Piton trail where he passed away.

The Soufriere Regional Development Foundation (SRDF), which is the official agency responsible for these tours, has warned persons not to take the unofficial route for the trail.

The SRDF has also claims that uncertified groups have been conducting tours to the area as well.

Diachuk worked with the Police Department in Canada as its chief psychologist.

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Police Superintendent George Nicholas.

Police are issuing an appeal to the suspect in the recent shooting in La Croix Maingot to turn himself in.

Superintendent for Crime and Intelligence, George Nicholas, is reported in the media as saying that Sebastian Michel, who is accused of shooting and killing his brother, Cletus Mitchel on March 5, is wanted by the police.

Police have received information that the suspect has been seen in La Croix Maingot and said he is considered to be armed and dangerous, but noted that they will take all precautions to protect residents.

According to Nicholas, the police have made several attempts to arrest Sebastian, but noted he is avoiding capture. Nevertheless, the police plan to continue their search for the alleged suspect.

The police are also urging residents to provide them with any information that could lead to his arrest.

Persons are reminded that harbouring a criminal can result in imprisonment for at least five years.

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A party of six cruisers, accompanied by a Hummingbird Resort security guard, was robbed by multiple masked attackers at gunpoint and machete.

Reports are that on the evening of March 3, 2016, the group of cruisers were returning from dinner, on the Hummingbird Resort/Still dock at Soufriere, when the incident occurred.

According to Caribbean Safety and Security Net, which collects and disseminates “accurate information” relating to crimes against yachts, the security guard was knocked down.

The robbers demanded money and were given wallets.

One woman’s purse was cut off her shoulder with the machete and her husband was struck on the head with the blunt side of the machete. A gun was also aimed at the couple.

When the group came into the dock originally, they declined the dinghy watching “service” of some teenagers. The teens were quite unhappy about it and said they would be back.

It is not known if a report was made to authorities by the Hummingbird staff.

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* Not the actual Suzuki Grand Vitara

Police have recovered the vehicle that was stolen during a home invasion robbery at Bocage on Tuesday.

One of the victims, Alvin Hassell, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the police informed him on Wednesday evening that they had recovered his 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara.

However, the number plates were removed and the keys to the vehicle are still missing.

“I can’t even use the vehicle because they have the keys and I’m worried. I’ll have to lock it away in a garage,” he said.

Hassell told SNO that the police informed him that investigations will continue, but they did not state if they have any leads on the men that robbed him and his family.

“We are still a bit shaken and traumatized. It’s so surreal that its taking a while for us to believe that this thing actually took place and right now we are still very jumpy,” he explained.

The man said his wife refuses to let him open the doors and they always have to be locked and bolted. The couple have become suspicious of everyone around them and are always conscious of their environment.

“This we think, was a targeted event, where they actually looked and planned how they are going to do this. You are not sure who around you to trust,” he stressed.

Hassell said it just took them that one day to open their door, because the place was extremely hot, and the bandits took the opportunity to rob them of everything.

He is advising all Saint Lucians to be security conscious and to be aware of their environment because it can happen to anyone and at any time.

Hassell and his family were robbed at gunpoint by three armed bandits at his house on Tuesday.

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Police have arrested a 27-year-old man for raping a 51-year-old woman at Mon Repos.

Reports are that the victim was attending a community event, when the alleged perpetrator followed her to a secluded area where she went to urinate, and attacked her.

The incident reportedly occurred at around 10 p.m. Sunday, February 21, 2016.

The victim who spoke with St. Lucia News Online (SNO) on Thursday said that she went behind a Pre-school to urinate and while she was about to pull up her tights, she was attacked and raped.

“When I tried to pull up my tights, I felt like someone touched my back and when I was about to check, I fell on my back and the person was on me already. I tried to fight,” she explained.

But the alleged perpetrator managed to hold the woman tightly to the ground and choked her neck. He quickly spread her legs and proceeded to rape her.

“He said if I scream he would kill me. Now when I was on my back, I started praying and asked God to give me the strength and as soon as I finished praying, I just managed to push him off,” she recalled.

The victim told SNO that she was left half naked, but she was determined to get help, so she ran as fast as she could and screamed for help.

“When I reached close to a shop, I met a lady and she told me to pull up my pants. I left my slippers and my hair band fell off…everything I had was left behind, because I ran for my life,” she stated.

The distraught woman said she believe if she didn’t fight back, her alleged attacker may have killed her.

“I went to an officer there but he said he was off duty. I told him that I was raped and almost killed. He acted surprised. He gave me some attitude and he didn’t take me on,” she added.

The confused woman didn’t know what to do and who to turn to, so she decided to go home.

She related the story to her boyfriend and the next day she went to the Micoud Police Station to report the incident. She was then taken to a hospital for an medical examination.

While she did not recognize who her alleged attacker was, she later managed to identify the man with the help of residents. Persons had told her that they noticed the young man was watching her.

The following day, the man was arrested by police and to this date he remains in custody.

The victim told SNO that she is depressed by the situation and would like to see him face the full blunt of the law, while explaining that he is old enough to be her child.

The woman has five boys. Her eldest child is 30-years-old.

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A 15-y-o girl who was reported missing several days ago has returned home.

According to an individual who introduced herself as the girlfriend of the girl’s brother, the teen turned herself in to the CID.

The teen claimed that she was staying with a woman in Vieux-Fort.

Bruises have been spotted on the arm of the girl but the cause is so far unknown.

Reports are that it is not the first time that the teen has disappeared with previous incidents lasting for weeks on end.

The teen’s disappearance was reported to the police on March 7th.

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The beach close to the Still Beach House Hotel where the cruisers were robbed.

A meeting was held on Thursday between the owners of Hummingbird Beach Resort and Still Beach Resort in order to implement safety measures after six cruisers were robbed by gunmen.

An official said that the robbery which transpired on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, near the Still Beach Resort and not the Hummingbird Beach Resort as was previously reported.

Persons have constantly mistaken the Still Beach Resort for the Hummingbird Beach Resort. Such an error has been a regular occurrence due to the close proximity of the two small and intimate resorts.

“The Still Beach Resort owner Mr. David Duboulay has been in touch with the gentleman. The victims’ personal belongings were retrieved by him near the Still Resort,” the hotel official said.

It was also clarified that Hummingbird’s security officer was never attacked. In fact, he went to render assistance to the panic-stricken and petrified security guard at the adjacent resort.

An individual by the name of Mrs. Joan Alexander-Stowe was contacted by the assaulted victims, who recounted their traumatizing incident to her. She furnished Duboulay with contact information of the cruisers and he has been corresponding with the couple in Quebec, Canada.

Reports are that on the evening of March 2, the group of six cruisers were returning from dinner, on the still dock at Soufriere, when they were attacked and robbed at gunpoint.

According to Caribbean Safety and Security Net, which collects and disseminates information relating to crimes against yachts, the robbers demanded money and were given wallets.

One woman’s purse was cut off her shoulder with the machete and her husband was struck on the head with the blunt side of the machete. A gun was also aimed at the couple.

When the group came into the dock originally, they declined the dinghy watching “service” of some teenagers. The teens were quite unhappy about it and said they would be back.

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Police officials have confirmed that the 53-year-old ServiTech technician who was murdered Saturday at the Bois Shadon Beach, Vieux Fort, was initially kidnapped along with his companion.

Francis Cyrillien and the female were abducted by two masked men around 4 p.m. Saturday, police said. The duo were at the beach when two men attacked them and forced them into a vehicle which Cyrillien was driving.

A police official said the woman related that the perpetrators forced the deceased to drive in a wooded area, where they were both tied up. The men then proceeded to attack the helpless man.

Cyrillien sustained severe chop wounds to his head and other parts of his body. The Court’s St. Lucia employee’s hands were almost severed. The two men also assaulted the female and forced her to strip naked, before escaping.

Despite earlier reports that the woman was raped, this has not been confirmed.

It took four hours before the woman was able to reportedly free herself and once she did, she ran towards the closest street and waved at traffic for help. But persons refused to assist her because she was naked.

However, one good Samaritan finally stopped and gave a t-shirt to her and took her to the Vieux Fort Police Station, where she related to the police what had happened.

The woman told police that Cyrillien appeared dead and she decided to leave him behind.

She assisted the police back to the crime scene, where the La Guerre, Babonneau resident was found lying face up with his hands tied at his back. He was later pronounced dead by a doctor.

The vehicle which the perpetrators took from Cyrillien was recovered in Babonneau today.

Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the persons responsible for this crime  or has any information relating to this incident are asked to contact the nearest police station.

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DEAD: Francis Cyrillien

PRESS RELEASE – Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 52 year old, Francis Cyrillien of La Guerre, Babonneau.

On Saturday, March 12, 2016 about 8:45 p.m. officers attached to the Vieux Fort Police Station received a report of Robbery which allegedly occurred on the road to Bois Chadon, Beach in Beanfield Vieux Fort, earlier that day about 4:00 p.m.

Upon arrival the officers discovered the body of Cyrillien which was tied to a tree with what appeared to be multiple slash wounds.

A medical doctor pronounced him dead on the scene.

A female who was also in the company of Cyrillien was allegedly assaulted and tied up by two masked men. The female was able to escape her captors. A medical examination concluded that the female was not sexually assaulted.

A quantity of jewelry and a cell phone was stolen from the victims. Motor vehicle registration number TJ 8944 which was in the possession of the deceased was also taken but subsequently discovered in the Babonneau area.

Two persons are in custody assisting with investigations.

This is the seventh homicide for 2016.

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DEAD: Francis Cyrillien

PRESS RELEASE – On Monday, March 14, 2016 a post mortem was conducted on the body of 52-year-old, Francis Cyrillien of La Guerre, Babonneau.

The examination revealed that he died as a result of hemorrhagic shock due to multiple incised wounds.

Investigations continue into this matter.

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A man was found dead at his residence at Vieux Fort this morning.

He has been identified as Ceasarius Barley, 56, of Augier, Vieux Fort, police officials have confirmed.

Reports are that Barley, a minibus driver, died of suspected suicide.

When police turned up at the crime scene around 10:30 a.m. they found his body lying on his bedroom floor.

The officers also found a bottle containing a poisonous substance (touch down) next to his bed side.

While some persons believe Barley may have died of natural causes, others share a different view.

A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death tomorrow.

Investigations are ongoing.

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332. PUBLIC ELECTION

“Public election” means any election, at which the qualification for voting, or the mode of voting at which, is determined or regulated by law.

333. INTIMIDATION

A person commits the offence of intimidation at a public election if he or she endeavors to influence the conduct of any voter in respect of such election by a threat of any consequences to be caused to the voter, or to any other person, on account of his or her conduct as a voter.

334. IRREGULARITY NO DEFENCE

No person is relieved of any liability to punishment for any offence in connection with a public election under this Part by reason of any irregularity or informality in the proceedings at or subsequent to the election.

335. 335. CORRUPTION, INTIMIDATION, PERSONATION AS TO ELECTION

A person who commits the offence of corruption, intimidation, or personation in respect of a public election is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 2 years and shall, during 10 years from the date of his or her conviction, be incapable of voting at any public election and of holding the public office in respect of which the election was held or any public office of the same nature.
“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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