Gardener Jailed for 5 Years for Chopping Wife

Gardener jailed for 5 years for chopping wife

By AZARD ALI Tuesday, November 27 2012

A HIGH Court judge yesterday echoed the concerns made on Friday by Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers Caesar, saying that judicial officers must also note the circumstances which trigger off domestic violence. In stating this, Justice Malcolm Holdip sentenced Basil De Leon, 60, to five years in jail for chopping his wife with a cutlass.

The judge however, presiding in the San Fernando High Court, discounted the 29 months the Tabaquite cassava gardener spent in jail awaiting trial. De Leon will therefore serve 31 months in prison. The judge justified the court sentence on De Leon, for wounding Meena Rampersad, 53, with intent, by the husband’s contention that the common-law wife had taken $68,000 worth of items from the matrimonial home, and had gone to live with another wiyh man.

De Leon on Friday last, was found not guilty, in the San Fernando High Court by a jury, of attempted murder for chopping off one of her fingers with a cutlass. The jury found him guilty on the lesser count of wounding the woman.

Holdip told De Leon that no doubt, De Leon was incensed by Rampersad taking possessions valued $68,000 from the matrimonial house, and going to live at Pierre Phillip Trace, New Grant. The wife left him in 2006, and on November 11, 2007, De Leon confronted her at her new home, whilst armed with a cutlass.

Holdip said, “I must echo the sentiments of the Honourable Chief Magistrate in which she asked all judicial officers (magistrates), to be aware of the fact that where claims of domestic violence are made, cognisance must be taken of these claims because we may never know what triggers a domestic situation to escalate into a domestic violence.”

Rampersad had testified before a jury, that when she left the matrimonial home, De Leon confronted her with a cutlass in front her new home at Pierre Phillip Trace, and chopped her twice. She lost the middle finger on the left hand, and was cut across the wrist.

Yesterday, Senior State Attorney Angelica Teelucksingh, told Holdip the courts needed to send a message to society, that even if the genesis for becoming incensed was a domestic violence situation, violence must not be the last resort. She said: “The public’s confidence in the criminal justice system, must be strengthened by its sentencing.”

Holdip reminded De Leon that in 1985, he was sentenced to seven years for manslaughter. The judge then went on to tell De Leon that no doubt he was emotionally inflamed by Rampersad taking off with the house valuables, but warned that it was no excuse to resort to violence. In passing sentence, Holdip said that upon De Leon’s arrest, he was refused bail and spent some 29 prison months in jail awaiting trial. He was granted bail by a Judge in Chambers on March 17, 2010. The judge sentenced him to five years hard labour, but informed De Leon that 29 months would be deducted from the term. The commencement of the 31 months in jail began yesterday.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,169782.html

Speaker Wants Law Enforced to Stop Violence Against Women

Speaker wants law enforced to stop violence against women

By ANDRE BAGOO Tuesday, November 27 2012

SPEAKER Wade Mark yesterday called for the enforcement of legislation to curb instances of violence against women.

“It is our responsibility as parliamentarians to ensure that relevant legislation is in place to effectively curb the instances of violence against women and girls, as well as monitor the enforcement of existing laws,” Mark said in welcoming remarks at a regional parliamentary workshop held at the Hyatt Regency.

The Speaker’s remarks came one day after the observance of The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and amid a 16-day programme of activism on the topic which began on Sunday.

“We all need to constantly try to redress the status of women and girls around the world, who are unable to achieve their full potential as a result of violence that is so callously inflicted upon them,” Mark said. “Every day another mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, granddaughter, or niece, is subjected to violence in some form or fashion.”

Last week Friday, Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar said 12,106 domestic violence cases were filed in 2009/2010 and 12,106 cases were filed in 2010/2011. Sunday Newsday reported that incidents of inmate attacks on female prisons officers have also been on the rise in recent months. Yesterday’s parliamentary workshop, supported in part by the Government, was put on in collaboration with the Switzerland-based Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), a global organisation which aims to make parliaments more responsive to populations.

According to the IPU’s first ever Global Parliamentary Report, TT is slightly above the world average in terms of the number of women in Parliament.

There are 19 women among the 71 members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, or a rate of about 27 percent. While this is far from the ideal of 50 percent, the rate is higher than the global average which is 19.25 percent. The Rwandan Chamber of Deputies has the highest percentage of women (56.25 percent) in the world. It is followed by the General Council of Andorra (53.57 percent).

Of 130 parliaments sampled, only 17 percent have chambers comprising over 30 percent women, a sign that there is still a long way to go.

According to the IPU, there are 8,716 woman parliamentarians in the world. The percentage of women in elected parliament chambers (as opposed to appointed chambers) was higher: 20 percent as opposed to 18 percent.

Mark did not speak on the issue of the number of women in Parliament, but noted the workshop — which will be conducted over two days — will examine questions of “representation” in Parliament. “There are five sessions, each detailing with different aspects of improving political representation and constituency work,” he said.

“The Global Parliamentary Report focuses on the evolving relationship between citizens and Parliaments, and aims to analyse how citizens’ expectations are changing, and how parliaments, politicians and parliamentary staff are responding to these changes,” Mark said.

“Legislatures need to be aware of the concerns, needs and general feelings of the citizenry, many of whom have become increasingly concerned with issues, rather than institutions.

IPU Secretary General Anders Johnson noted many parliaments in the world “trace their roots back to the Middle Ages”.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,169788.html

70% of Women Suffer Gender-Based Violence

70% of women suffer gender-based violence

Tuesday, November 27 2012

Over 70 percent of women worldwide experience gender-based violence. This statistic was given yesterday by Dr Deborah Thomas-Austin, president of the World Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA).

The YWCA of Trinidad and Tobago, in conjunction with the United Nations, launched its “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” at Capital Plaza, Port-of-Spain.

Through its “In Her Shoes” exhibition, the YWCA shows the lives of women who experience domestic violence.

The association intends to take its display to locations around the country to facilitate a forum of discussion about gender-based violence. As well they will have a Solidarity Walk against gender-based violence around the Savannah on December 1, World Aids Day.

In attendance yesterday was Zalayhar Hassanali, wife of late President Noor Hassanali, who stated that she has been supporting this cause for over 60 years. Hassanali was proud to see the YWCA take the “16 Days of Activism” to the public. She stated that gender-based violence is a “real scourge on society” and the cause must not cease.

Marcus Kissoon, a representative from the Rape Crisis Centre, recalled the earthquake that decimated Haiti in 2010. He stated that if TT were to face a natural disaster which would force people into camps, he fears that our women would be abused as women were in Haiti.

“We would have a crisis within a crisis with regards to gender-based violence.

This is why we need a national gender policy. That way people affected by crime, from the home to the workplace, would have a sense of justice.

From a psychological point of view, an NGP would give a sense of therapy having this legal net,” Kissoon said. He added that the main way to ensure the rights of women would be to have a comprehensive national gender policy which is sensitive to the rights of all citizens based on gender.

Also in attendance were students of Bishop’s Centenary High School who viewed the exhibition “In Her Shoes.”

Theanna Alleyne, a 15-year-old Form 5 student, told Newsday, “Personally it is a very uplifting and educational programme. The day in their shoes is very uplifting and touching. It made me realise that education is the most important thing right now.”

The 16 Days of Activism began on Sunday, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10, International Human Rights Day.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,169787.html

Husband Guilty of Wounding Wife

Husband guilty of wounding wife

By AZARD ALI Saturday, November 24 2012

BASIL DE LEON, a cassava farmer of New Grant, Princes Town was found guilty yesterday of chopping off a finger of his common-law wife, five years ago.

He will be sentenced on Monday by Justice Malcolm Holdip in the San Fernando High Court.

The wife, Meena Rampersad, 53, testified before a jury that she left the matrimonial home and De Leon confronted her with a cutlass in front her new home at Pierre Phillip Trace, New Grant, and chopped her twice. She lost the middle finger on the left hand, and was cut across the wrist.

De Leon, 60, of Tabaquite, was charged with attempted murder and the lesser count of wounding with intent.

Yesterday, a jury of nine members, found De Leon not guilty on the first count, but guilty on the lesser count by a majority verdict of eight for and one against.

Senior State Attorney Angelica Teelucksingh led evidence from Rampersad who testified that she and De Leon lived together for ten years and nine months in Tabaquite. They had two children, but De Leon had six other children from a previous marriage.

Rampersad said she left the matrimonial home and went to live on her own at Pierre Phillip Trace, but on November 19, 2007, husband De Leon turned up at her gates armed with a cutlass. She told the jury that De Leon attacked her with a cutlass, during which she was cut twice. She added that, De Leon told her, “Meena, come kneel down here let me kill you.”

Attorney Rekha Ramjit who represented De Leon, led evidence from the accused husband, who admitted that he went to Rampersad’s home. However, he told the jury of four women and five men, that he told wife Rampersad: “Meena, you take everything from the house; you could’ve take half.”

De Leon testified that it was Rampersad who attacked him with a knife and he swung the cutlass. He said, he drew his cutlass, which was tendered into evidence and swung it twice. The blade, the husband added, was sharpened on both sides which accounted for her being cut.

Yesterday, the jury retired for the mandatory three hours, and when Holdip asked the foreman if she and the rest of the panel arrived at a verdict in respect of the attempted murder, the woman answered: “No.”

The foreman was then asked whether their members were divided and she said it was a unanimous decision of nine in favour of not guilty.

The judge’s Judicial Officer then asked the foreman about their decision on the second count of wounding. She said that they were undecided. Asked the ratio of the division without revealing whether guilty or not guilty, the foreman said: “Eight to One.”

After telling the court that eight of their numbers were in favour of a guilty verdict and one against, Holdip told the foreman that according to law, the verdict was a majority one and therefore the accused was guilty on the second count.

Ramjit will make a plea in mitigation on Monday after which the judge will pass sentence. The accused man was remanded into custody to await the sentence.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,169698.html

12,106 domestic violence cases filed

 

 

12,106 domestic violence cases filed

By LEISELLE MARAJ Saturday, November 24 2012

CHIEF Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar yesterday stressed the importance played by judicial officers in cases of domestic violence as she spoke at a media launch of 16 Days of Activism which begins tomorrow and is observed as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Activities during this time frame have been organised by the Rape Crisis Society and the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

At the launch, held at 1 Robinson Ville, Belmont, Ayers Ceasar revealed shocking domestic violence statistics. She said for the 2009/2010 law term in the Trinidad and Tobago Magistrates’ Courts, 12,106 new domestic violence applications were filed and 10,817 applications were determined. For the 2010/2011 period, 11,984 new applications were filed and 12, 041 applications were determined.

“These figures should be of concern to us all. These statistics, which can be found in the Judiciary’s Annual Report for this period, also reveal for 2009/2010 term, the magisterial district of Arima received the highest number of applications whilst Mayaro had the least. After 2010/2011, Arima again had the highest number and Rio Claro had the least. I am sure that you would agree with me that these statistics are indeed shocking,” she said.

Other statistics show women experience an average of 35 incidents of domestic violence before reporting to the police. “Judicial officers play an important role in the legal systems response. Judicial officers can express authority as the ultimate dispensers of Justice as we are the ultimate legal authority. If as judicial officers we treat domestic violence seriously, so too will the parties and the rest of the criminal justice system,”Ayers-Caesar said.

She said officers would have to deal with victims of domestic violence who come to the courts for help who do not have sufficient resources such as attorneys, an adequate source of income, access to counselling, functional extended families or even a safe place to live which can be a source of frustration for the judicial officer.

The officer may feel he or she is being asked to solve problems beyond the court’s ability to act and will also experience a sense of powerlessness sometimes which persons who encounter the abused may feel. No other societal institution, she said however, has the enforcement power attributed to the court.

“While counsellors, advocates, social workers and others can advise the abuser to stop his behaviour, only the court can order him to attend counselling, prohibit his contact with the victim and even incarcerate him where necessary,” she explained.

The community on a whole suffers from domestic violence, she said since persons who may try to help during an episode of domestic violence may end up being injured or even be killed. “The cost to the community of lost lives and resources is a constant reminder that domestic violence is not a family affair or a private affair. It is a community affair demanding a community response. Early intervention by the legal system can save lives. As judicial officers, we have an opportunity to stop domestic violence before it becomes extremely dangerous or homicidal through early intervention,” she said.

Ayers-Caesar said the justice system plays an essential part of the solution to domestic violence and should be part of a co-ordinated community effort to end the consequences of violence within the family.

The criminal justice system however needs to improve its response to domestic violence. She said there is need to improve communication and information sharing between the other key stakeholders within the system for a more collaborative approach.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,169677.html

Relatives Speak Out

Relatives: Killed man was victim of abuse

By Jensen LaVende and Carolyn Kissoon

Story Created: Nov 12, 2012 at 9:57 PM ECT

Story Updated: Nov 13, 2012 at 9:10 AM ECT 

 

Stabbed to death: Anthony Lee Sing

ANTHONY LEE SING was the victim of domestic abuse and died as a result of that.

Speaking with members of the media yesterday, relatives of the dead man, who wished not to be identified, said it was not he who was the aggressor as reported but the mother of his child, who is in police custody.

The relatives, who spoke at the Forensic Science Centre, St James yesterday, said the female relative who stabbed Lee Sing, 27, three times about the body, was the jealous type and was very abusive to him.

The women described Lee Sing as a "smart man" and said he had the ability to make anyone like him, even those whom he had outsmarted. The women questioned why the female relative had to stab their loved one so many times.

Lee Sing, 27, was stabbed in the chest, abdomen and hand on Sunday afternoon. Lee Sing died at his Sushilla Drive, Chase Village, Chaguanas home following what was described as a fight between the two, which occurred around 7.30 a.m. The woman told investigators that she stabbed Lee Sing several times to defend herself.

Police are awaiting instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions on whether any charges will be laid against a mother of three.

The female suspect was treated at the San Fernando General Hospital for stab wounds and released into police custody on Sunday evening. A Colombian national was also detained by police.

The 27-year-old woman was nearby. The Colombian man was also in the house.

Two of Lee Sing's three children were at home when the incident occurred.

Police said Lee Sing and the woman were seen liming in Chaguanas the night before. They returned to Lee Sing's rented apartment around 4 a.m.

The woman told police that they began arguing and Lee Sing became violent towards her. He began cutting her about the body with a knife, police said.

Investigators said the woman grabbed the knife and stabbed Lee Sing in the chest, abdomen and hand.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by a district medical officer.

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Relatives__Killed_man_was_victim_of_abuse-179034911.html

Tragic End To Domestic Dispute

 

TRAGIC END FOR FATHER OF 3

By STACY MOORE Monday, November 12 2012

AN abusive relationship yesterday ended in tragedy with a father stabbed to death in front of his three young children. A woman who was also stabbed in the incident is now warded under police guard at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the San Fernando General Hospital in critical condition.

The man, identified as Anthony Lee Sing, 27, died on the spot after being stabbed in the chest and other parts of his body.

The incident took place in an apartment at Sushilla Drive, Chase Village, Chaguanas, where Lee Sing lived with the woman and his three children — a one month old baby and two boys, aged 7 and 11. The children were in the apartment at the time of the killing. They have since been placed in the care of a relative who told Newsday the boys are in a deeply traumatised state.

The relative said her prayers were with both families involved in the tragedy.

“It is tragic what happened,” she said, adding she was told the woman was “cut up badly while trying to defend herself.”

Police have detained a Colombian man in connection with the incident.

Reports are that Lee Sing and the woman were last seen together in company with a Colombian man on Saturday night in Chaguanas.

According to police reports, at about 8 am yesterday, at the Sushilla Drive apartment, Lee Sing also called “Chinee”, began arguing with the woman. The argument escalated over money and Lee Sing reportedly picked up a knife and stabbed the woman once to her abdominal area and about her body. Police say the woman was able to retrieve the knife from Lee Sing and in turn stabbed him in the chest and about his body. He died on the spot. A district medical officer subsequently pronounced Lee Sing dead.

The woman, said to be originally from Diego Martin, was rushed to the Chaguanas Health Facility and later transferred to the San Fernando General Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery.

Yesterday, neighbours reported hearing nightly quarrels between Lee Sing and the woman. One man said he heard the screams coming from the apartment early yesterday morning.

“I heard them arguing and quarrelling. But I did not know it would have ended so,” said one distraught neighbour who said Lee Sing recently moved into the rental apartment with his chidren and the woman.

“But you always hear them quarrelling and arguing. I don’t know what they were arguing for but it didn’t have to end in this way. It is very hard,” the neighbour said in shock.

Another woman said that she awoke to see an Emergency Health Service (EHS) vehicle in front the family home.

“The woman was taken on a stretcher into the van. And it was only after that I found out what happen. This neighbourhood is a quiet area. There has never been any violence here. People here are mostly involved in worship. ‘You see next to where they live is a place of worship,” the neighbour said.

She said she last saw Lee Sing alive two days ago when he was walking one of his sons along the street.

An autopsy on Lee Sing’s body is expected to be performed today at the Forensic Science Centre to determine the cause of death. Supt Johnny Abraham visited the scene and is spearheading investigations.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,169105.html

Man stabbed in domestic dispute

By Carolyn Kissoon carolyn.kissoon@trinidadexpress.com

Story Created: Nov 11, 2012 at 9:56 PM ECT

Story Updated: Nov 12, 2012 at 7:40 AM ECT 

 

Father-of-three Anthony Lee Sing was stabbed to death during a fight with a female relative yesterday morning.

Lee Sing, 27, was stabbed in the chest, abdomen and hand.

He collapsed and died in the dining room at his rented apartment located at Sushilla Drive, Chase Village, Chaguanas.

Police said the female relative confessed that she knifed Lee Sing after he became violent around 7.30 a.m.
The 27-year-old woman was treated at the San Fernando General Hospital for stab wounds she suffered in the fight. She was detained into police custody.

The woman told investigators that she stabbed Lee Sing several times to defend herself.

A Colombian national, who witnessed the stabbing, was also detained by police.

Investigators said Lee Sing and the woman had spent the night liming in Chaguanas and returned to his apartment around 4 a.m.

Neighbours contacted the police, after loud screams were heard coming from the house.

A team of officers including Insp Edward Livia, Sgt Andy Mohammed and Cpl Balroop responded and discovered Lee Sing's body.

The woman was nearby.

A blood-stained kitchen knife was recovered.

Police said two of Lee Sing's children were at home when he was stabbed.

The children, ages two, five and seven, were being cared for by relatives yesterday.

Residents of Sushilla Drive, Chase Village, were reluctant to speak about the incident. The Express was told that Lee Sing recently moved into the community.

A district medical officer viewed the body and ordered its removal to the Forensic Science Centre in St James. This brings the murder toll for the year to 346 according to an Express tally.

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Man_stabbed_in_domestic_dispute-178731231.html

Husbands Words To His Wife - ‘Kneel down let me kill you’

‘Kneel down let me kill you’

By AZARD ALI Thursday, November 8 2012

A JURY in San Fernando yesterday heard how a husband chopped his wife twice, then, holding a cutlass, asked her to kneel before him, so he could kill her.

Meena Rampersad, 54, testified in the San Fernando High Court that she lived with Basil De Leon, 59, for ten years and nine months, but left the matrimonial home in 2006. They had two children, but on November 19, 2007, husband De Leon turned up at her gate armed with a cutlass.

De Leon, of Tabaquite, is before Justice Malcolm Holdip, charged with attempted murder of ex-wife Rampersad.

Yesterday, the woman told a jury of nine men and women, how she had packed her clothes and went to live at Pierre Phillip Trace, New Grant. She was sitting outside her apartment on November 19, she recalled, when at about 10 am, ex-husband De Leon turned up. He had a cutlass upraised in his hand, she said.

Rampersad testified that De Leon said, “You took everything from the house, and gone to live with a next man. Ah come to kill you, and yuh man. Yuh think I stupid....ah come to kill both of you.”

Rampersad told the judge and jury that De Leon raised the cutlass and fired a chop. “I brakes with my left hand and my finger got chopped. I then turned around to go inside.

“I saw him coming right behind me. He said he would have to kill me. He keep asking ‘where the man... tell the man to come out.”’

In answer to questions from Senior State Attorney, Angelica Teelucksingh, Rampersad testified that ex-husband De Leon came down with the cutlass again. She said she blocked the chop with her left hand, and was cut on the wrist. The woman said she bawled out and noticed that she was bleeding. She said, “I see blood everywhere. I said ‘Oh boy, what you doing?” Rampersad said she called out to her neighbour, whose name she gave as, De Angelo.

Rampersad then told the jury of five women and four men, that she hid behind a car parked in the driveway, but De Leon challenged her again. When she dodged him, he beckoned her to come out into the open, kneel down, so that he could kill her. Rampersad testified: “My hand was burning. He said ‘Meena come and kneel down here leh meh kill yuh.’ He kept saying that. He had the cutlass in his hand.”

The woman said she ran inside the house and locked the door.

Attorney Rekha Ramjit, who is defending De Leon, cross-examined Rampersad yesterday, who said that an ambulance took her to hospital where she was warded for two days. The trial continues tomorrow.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,168931.html

Rape on the rise, but reports may be down

Rape on the rise, but reports may be down

By LARA PICKFORD-GORDON Saturday, November 3 2012

A University of the West Indies Institute (UWI) professor on Gender and Development Studies said the “social response to incest as taboo, is shifting” and more reports were being made.

“Now there is a moral demand you should say something. There is a new blame cast on people for not saying anything, whether it is teachers, mothers. The social response to incest as taboo is shifting. I think that will affect the reporting of it,” said Gabrielle Hosein in an interview yesterday.

On Wednesday at the weekly police briefing spokesperson for the TT Police Service (TTPS), Assistant Superintendent Joanne Archie said for 2011 the police received 484 reports of sexual offences, which include rape, incest and sexual intercourse with a minor, and statutory rape.

She said, “as of September this year, we had 698 reported cases of sexual offences, but the majority of these were cases of statutory rape.”

Responding to questions, she said there was a noticeable increase in “reports of incest in the Southern Division while in the Eastern Division, there was an increase in statutory rape cases.”

She urged commuters, particularly women, to observe basic precautions when travelling alone.

Hosein said she could not comment on the data, and more thorough systematic data collection was needed. “We don’t know what the numbers mean. Yes, there may be an overall increase, but we don’t know if it is an increase in reporting, or increase in incidence.”

Commenting on the problem of statutory rape, Hosein differentiated between minors having sex with each other, and adults having sex with minors. She said the difference must be kept in mind since “the power is never equal” when sex took place involving minors and adults.

Hosein said attitudes to statutory rape have also undergone change.

“There is a lot of public discourse with regard to that. It is becoming increasingly less and less okay, for men to exercise their sexuality with whom they choose.”

Hosen said questions about men’s sexuality and its implications for women and girls were being challenged today.

She said there was need for more information on who were the perpetrators of rape. Issues which must be considered include: Are rapes being committed by men who have been in prison? Are there issues related to drug and substance abuse, mental illness?

“What is the profile of men who have been convicted of rape? That is something for the TTPS.”

Rapes have been committed during breaking and entering at homes.

Hosein said, “the question is how can those violent, domestic breaking and entering be prevented and, the response time by police.”

The absence of safe public transport on off-routes was also “putting women in danger.”

She said most public transportation off the main roads was via PH cars, and this sector was unregulated.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,168719.html

$3,500 fine for Breaching Protection Order

$3,500 fine for breaching Protection Order

By LAUREL V WILLIAMS Wednesday, October 31 2012

ALERTED by the loud screams of his four-year-old daughter, who moments earlier was scolded by her mother, a man began making death threats to the woman. The man, Keron Wilson, was yesterday fined $3,500 by a Port-of-Spain magistrate before whom he appeared for breaching a protection order, by using threatening language.

Wilson pleaded guilty when he appeared before Magistrate Cheron Raphael, in the Third Court, to answer the charge which occurred on Monday last at Chafford Court in Port-of-Spain.

Court prosecutor, Sgt Gale Charles, told the court that the mother was scolding the child when Wilson approached her and said, “I will cuff you in the face. I will rip you apart. When you come downstairs in the yard, I will deal with you. I will kill you, it is just timing.” The prosecutor noted on June 30 last, the woman had obtained a protection order against Wilson.

Police officers were contacted and when told of the report, Wilson admitted he had “stepped in” because the mother was beating the child.

Yesterday Wilson, who was unrepresented by counsel, explained to the magistrate, he was on his way to watch wrestling on television when he heard the loud screams of his daughter. Wilson said when he called out to the child, he saw a hand print on her chest. The child, he added, told him her mother had slapped her in the chest. He denied making any threats about killing the mother.

“(Before this incident) I had spent $250 for chest pains my child was having. This is the reason why I breach the order. I did ask her if she would like someone put a hand print on her chest,” Wilson said to Raphael.

The prosecutor denied there was any marks on the child’s chest when police officers visited the scene. She noted however the mother was correcting the child by hitting her.

Prosecutor Charles further noted that often such incidents go to another level. The fact a protection order was taken out against Wilson spoke volumes, she added.

Raphael suggested to Wilson that he learn to control himself, and if he felt the mother was being too harsh with their child, then he should report it to police.

After fining him $3,500, the magistrate noted: “Breaching a protection order is serious business.” She gave him three months to pay the fine. In default he would serve nine months, hard labour, in prison.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,168550.html

Examining views on domestic violence

 

CHRIS BROWN — FORGIVE AND FORGET?

Published:  Monday, October 29, 2012

Bobie-lee Dixon

It seems no matter how hard Chris Brown tries to move on in life, his past continues to haunt him. The 23-year-old singer whose latest album, Fortune has sold 303,600 copies worldwide, is making headlines again. But this time, not for any run-ins with the law.

Left: Singer Rihanna who was beaten by Chris Brown when they were in a relationship 

says she has forgiven Brown. Right: Guyanese women’s rights groups have been 

protesting against the upcoming visit of Chris Brown.

Because of Brown’s felony assault charges and conviction in the beating of singer and then girlfriend Rihanna in 2009, his visit to Guyana is being vehemently criticised by women rights groups in the country where he is expected to perform in December. 

The singer/songwriter is billed to perform on Boxing night in the state’s capital, Georgetown and the Guyanese government has also come under fire as it is alleged they are partly responsible for financing the convicted domestic abuser's visit. According to reports, the Government, in a bid to promote tourism is spending a great deal of money on the singer whose criminal record forbids him to perform in countries like the UK.

The protesting groups have voiced their opinions on blogs, saying that allowing Brown to perform in the country sends the wrong message especially as the government does not finance existing programmes in the country geared towards fighting domestic violence and providing rehabilitation for ex-domestic abusers. 

Others recognise his ‘right’ to perform in Guyana but question the use of taxpayer’s dollars to support his performance and some activists have said his visit makes a mockery of an upcoming 16-day Activism Against Gender-based Violence campaign, especially since the concert coincides with the occasion.

However, fans who use the social networking site Twitter have taken to Brown’s fan page pledging their support to the singer, saying he deserves a second chance and he has already paid for his mistake. Brown was sentenced by a Los Angeles judge to probation of five years and community labour for six months for assaulting Rihanna. He was also ordered to stay away from his former for the next five years from the incident’s date. But Rihanna has since forgiven Brown and even confessed to TV show host Oprah Winfrey in a recent interview that he is the love of her life. 

The Barbadian songstress said she found the capacity to forgive Brown for the attack through finding the means to forgive her own father for the abuse he subjected her mother to. The two have even collaborated on a few songs including the popular Cake.

Recent reports that the couple are reuniting has prompted mixed reactions among fans of both celebrities.

There have been unconfirmed reports that Brown is also carded to visit Trinidad and Tobago before the year’s end. Are people in this country as concerned as those in Guyana about allowing him to perform here given his domestic violence conviction, or are they ready to forgive and forget?  The T&T Guardian took to the streets of Port-of Spain to get a view from the some younger members of the public. Stephen Andrews, Kristoff Alexander and Shakima Joseph all 20, and 16-year-old Celine Weeks were interviewed 

Three of them said that Brown has done his time for the crime he committed and has proven he has changed. They believe he deserves a second chance. However, Alexander who is not a Brown fan said because of the incident, Brown should not be celebrated in anyway. 

We also spoke with Gregory Sloane-Seale, former child rights activist with the Coalition Against Domestic Violence and co-ordinator of the Citizen Security Programme within the Ministry of National Security, as well as criminologist Renee Cummings. Sloane-Seale said it was not just about giving Brown a second chance. According to him, it is about watching what has transpired since the incident to date. He said from what he has read about Brown since the Rihanna incident, the performer seems to have shown remorse, attended the anger management sessions ordered by the court and continues to do his community service.  

“He is a young person, his presence can be a voice for hope and change among young people especially young men. You cannot condemn a person for life especially a young person for his infraction,” Sloane-Seale said. He added that it would have been wise for the Guyanese groups who are protesting to correspond with Brown’s management before his visit and organise for him speak about his experience and transformation during his visit to the country. “It is always sad for me when we throw the baby out with the bath water. No one is praising what he did but his actions were  already condemned, it was a moment that’s gone. We have to see how he goes on from here, support him and give him a chance to prove his change.”

Renee Cummings shared Sloane-Seale’s views. She said in domestic violence not all perpetrators have to continue being violent. She said the incident between Brown and Rihanna occurred at a time when they were very young, famous, rich and living on their own without guidance. For him to be continually labeled an abuser is wrong Cummings reasoned, as it only occurred once and he has since cleaned up his act. She said he has a criminal record because he was charged but the public has got to give him a chance to prove himself.

"In any relationship tempers flare — be it teenagers or adults and often we act out on the spur of the moment, realising after it could have been handled differently,” said Cummings."Yes he has a criminal record but does that mean the minute he lands in Guyana or Trinidad he is going to beat a woman," she rhetorically asked. Cummings said if they can organise to have him speak to young men about his experience and how it stigmatizes, that would be a bonus seeing that some of the activists' arguments are that the Government does not provide funding to sustain the domestic violence programmes needed to rehabilitate domestic abusers. "But to label the man an abuser out of the context of one incident which has not been repeated is definitely not the right or fair thing to do."

Local soca artistes also shared their views. Swappi said everybody has their own opinions about Brown but at the end of the day, apart from being an entertainer he is a human being. He said Brown has already been forgiven by the industry and has done his time.

His female counterpart Nadia Batson also felt people needed to get over what happened and allow Brown to grow positively. While she does not condone what happened, she feels Brown should not continue to be chastised for something he already paid for. 

"Because of what happened he is viewed as a woman beater, but this is not true. People make mistakes—no one is perfect. I just feel their are many other facets of Chris's life that can be focused on. People in this world are just too judgmental." she said.

Young singing sensation Erphaan Alves said Brown’s mistake will haunt him forever and that is just a fact he is going to have to learn to live with it. He said the only reason the issue keeps coming up is because of his role as an entertainer. "Everybody makes mistakes be it a president, mother, father or a plumber. When you are in the public’s eye it's just more difficult for you," said Alves. He continued: "He's is not the first artiste to have a criminal record and certainly won’t the first artiste to visit Trinidad with a record of any kind. Maybe the Guyanese government should have organized things better knowing the issues surrounding domestic violence in the country, but at the end of the day people cannot keep hating on Chris."

Megan Walrond, vocalist with the all-female band Sass said she understood the anguish of the women's rights groups in Guyana and that it is important for the Government to get financially involved in the rehabilitation of the perpetrators of domestic violence. But she also feels the people cannot make it a personal attack on Brown as he already served time for his actions. She said the word of God says we ought to forgive and that is what people need to do and move on because both Brown and Rihanna already have.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Immigration laws on people with convictions entering this country

According to Keith Sampson Deputy Chief Immigration Officer people with criminal records who attempt to enter Trinidad and Tobago may be refused entry under the provisions of sections 8(1)d or 8(1)q of Chapter 18:01— The Immigration Act of the Laws of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. He said under both sections, the first (8(1)d) states that entry is prohibited to people who have been convicted of or admit having committed any crime, which if committed in Trinidad and Tobago would be punishable with imprisonment for one or more years. The latter (8(1)q) states any person who from information or advice which in the opinion of the Minister is reliable information or advice is likely to be an undesirable inhabitant of, or visitor to Trinidad and Tobago.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.tt/lifestyle/2012-10-28/examining-views-domestic-violence

Family asks: “How come they can’t arrest this man for kidnapping and attempted murder?"

Kidnap victim’s relatives fear for their lives 

By Vashtee Achibar 

Wednesday, October 24 2012

Relatives of a woman who was tied to a tree for four days in the Tableland forest by a man are pleading with the police for protection saying they are being threatened by the person who has been abusing her.

Anne Marie Mathura, 43, was rescued by a gardener and has since been taken to a safe house by police. She was reported missing after her mother and sister returned from church one month ago and could not locate her.

On Monday, police told Newsday Mathura’s whereabouts, cannot be revealed to anyone as threats have been made to her life. Mathura is the mother of a teenage daughter.

Mathura’s worried sister Pamela, 41, told Newsday the man in question has been sending threats to her and her mother, Meena, 63. She said she called the Princes Town police to report the matter, but she said she feels the officers are not taking the threats seriously.

“How come they can’t arrest this man for kidnapping and attempted murder? Look at what he did to my sister and he walking all around and driving his vehicle and the police not arresting him. Is like they waiting on him to kill us,” she cried.

“As soon as it get dark, he coming around the house, unless they hold him we cannot lead a normal life, we cannot sleep in peace, every little noise we hear we jump up,” the worried woman said.

On September 28, Mathura was abducted from her parents home at Garth Road, Princes Town, by a man she knew. No one was home at the time she was snatched.

According to reports, Mathura recently broke off a three-year relationship with the man.

Her relatives reported her missing to the Princes Town Police Station, since threats had been made to her life.

Relatives told Newsday yesterday the mother of one disappeared the same day she had visited the police station and obtained a restraining order against the man.

The matter was due for hearing on October 1 and the suspect had been served the summons to appear in court.

For three days, no one saw or heard from her, until October 2, when she was found naked and tied to a tree by a gardener.

She was given clothing and subsequently taken to the Princes Town Police Station. Relatives said police took her to their home on Garth Road before she was whisked away to an unknown destination by the officers.

Princes Town police are continuing investigations.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,168200.html

Battered Woman - Impacts on Children

 

Mom accused of burning child called battered woman

By AZARD ALI Tuesday, October 23 2012

SHE is a battered woman who is forced to hold down two jobs to care for four children single-handedly and is in need of psychiatric evaluation.

So argued an attorney yesterday before a Princes Town magistrate, on behalf of Chrystal Bardouille, 28, who is charged with burning her five-year-old son, Miguel Gomes, with a hot eating fork. But Senior Magistrate Debra Quintyne said being depressed was no reason for Bardouille to not appreciate the wrong of burning a child. The magistrate, however, ordered the woman, of New Grant, Princes Town, to be sent for evaluation at the St Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital. Bardouille was arrested and charged under Section 3 (1) of the Children’s Act. The mother, who has three other children, ages six, seven and nine, has been in police custody since her arrest. Quintyne read the charge that on October 16, at Lengua Road, being in charge of a child under 18, the accused unnecessarily caused injury to the health of the child. Attorney Petronella Basdeo submitted to Quintyne that the Mental Health Act should be invoked so the court could send the mother for a psychiatric evaluation. Bardouille, she said, had been subjected to such physical and mental abuse by a man that in June she suffered a mental breakdown. Basdeo added the accused had been forced to do two jobs to take care of her children. She said, “My application is for the court to have her evaluated based on the fact that at the time of the alleged act, she had been under such mental depression that she could not have formed the mental capacity to know what she was doing to her child was wrong.”

Quintyne was, however, critical of Basdeo’s application, saying Bardouille went out to work after her “mental breakdown”.

The magistrate remanded Bardouille to the St Ann’s Hospital for evaluation. She is to return to court on November 5.

Source:  http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,168153.html

Abuse Ends with Victim Defendant

2 years for killing common-law husband

By JADA LOUTOO Tuesday, October 16 2012

ANGELA Clarke wept quietly after being told she will serve out a prison term of two years and seven months for the killing of her common-law husband in 2008. Clarke, 37, a mother of six of La Fillette was yesterday sentenced by Justice Mark Mohammed in the Port-of-Spain Second Criminal Court, where she earlier this month pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

She was charged for the murder of Dean Bhandoo of Rincon Road, Las Cuevas on May 16, 2008. Bhandoo, 51, was stabbed once to the left side of his chest during an altercation at his home.

As he went through the sentencing process, Mohammed said he arrived at his sentence after balancing the seriousness of the act which resulted in a loss of life against the abuse Clarke endured for the two years she lived with Bhandoo.

Having also taken into consideration Clarke’s admittance of guilt as well as her efforts at rehabilitating herself while in prison, Mohammed said a sentence of seven years was appropriate.

He explained that although 12 years was his starting point, he deducted four years for the guilty plea and one year for the mitigating factors in the case, leaving seven years which was further reduced by the four years and five months Clarke spent in prison awaiting trial.

On October 3, when she pleaded guilty, Clarke was allowed to address the court and she said, she was “so very sorry” for her actions. The couple’s relationship was often fraught with loud, heated arguments and May 16, 2008 was no different.

According to prosecutor Tricia Hudlin-Cooper, Clarke stabbed Bhandoo after an argument. The couple were both said to have shown signs of being drunk and according to her attorney Vernon de Lima SC, six weeks prior to the incident a pregnant Clarke miscarried after being pushed by Bhandoo.

When police arrived, they saw Bhandoo’s body and Clarke told them: “Is it me you all come for? Don’t shoot...handcuff me.” After being cautioned, Clarke told police “Officer, (is) he really dead? I don’t know how he got stabbed. I went out the road to get soda for him because he was drunk.”

De Lima said alcohol played a big part in what happened on May 16, 2008. He admitted that Bhandoo was kind to Clarke’s six children, but the couple often drank together and argued.

De Lima noted that whenever Bhandoo drank he would become angry, possessive and jealous. Clarke, he said, was contrite and remorseful. “She knows what she did was wrong,” he said. Also appearing with de Lima for the defence was Kern Saney while Rehana Ali appeared for the prosecution.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,167751.html