https://kiskadeewatch.com/guyana/new-amsterdam-man-acquitted-of-child-sexual-offence-charges/
New Amsterdam man acquitted of child sexual offence charges
A 65-year-old New Amsterdam man was yesterday acquitted of two charges alleging sexual offences against a girl who was between 10 and 11 years old.
Neil Fredericks, a heavy-duty truck and machinery operator of Philadelphia Street, New Amsterdam, was found not guilty of sexual activity with a child under 16 and rape of a child under 16 following a trial before Justice Peter Hugh at the Berbice Assizes.
The first count alleged that between March 1, 2020, and October 31, 2021, in Berbice, Fredericks engaged in sexual activity with the child. The second alleged that he sexually penetrated her during the same period.
Fredericks pleaded not guilty to both counts and maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. He was represented by attorney-at-law Charlyn Artiga.
State Prosecutor Marisa Edwards called 14 witnesses, including five police officers, a medical doctor, the complainant and her relatives.
After Justice Hugh summed up the evidence yesterday morning, the 12-member jury, comprising both men and women, retired to deliberate. It subsequently returned unanimous verdicts of not guilty on both counts.
Fredericks became emotional when the verdicts were announced and was seen in tears as he left the courtroom.
Speaking to Berbice media outside the courthouse, he expressed relief at the outcome, saying the allegations had been brought by people he had cared for and assisted. He said the proceedings had taken a significant toll on him and caused sleepless nights.
“I would like to tell a lot of men, don’t take women with children; stay away from them,” he stated.
He also expressed gratitude to God, his attorney and the jurors.
Meanwhile, the complainant’s mother told Kiskadee Watch that she was dissatisfied with the verdicts.
Source: Kiskadee Watch
Sophia labourer found dead with suspected gunshot wound
https://kiskadeewatch.com/guyana/sophia-labourer-found-dead-with-suspected-gunshot-wound/
Sophia labourer found dead with suspected gunshot wound
Police are investigating the suspected murder of a 23-year-old labourer whose body was found in his yard at C Field Reserve Dam, Sophia, yesterday morning.
According to police reports, Kurt Beckles, called “Savage,” was discovered at around 8.15 am with a wound to the right side of his head suspected to have been caused by a gunshot.
His mother, Danella Eastman, told investigators that she was at home at C Field, Sophia, at around 8 am when her former reputed husband telephoned her. He said he had received information that her son had been shot at his home.
Eastman immediately went to Beckles’ home, where she found him lying motionless in the yard with blood on his head.
Police said Beckles lived alone in a single-storey wooden house enclosed by a zinc fence. His body was found lying on its right side in the southern section of the yard.
Emergency medical personnel were summoned and a team from the Central Fire Station attended. Beckles was pronounced dead by Dr Mohan of the Georgetown Public Hospital.
The matter was reported to police at around 8.20 am and ranks visited the scene approximately ten minutes later.
Crime scene investigators processed the area but recovered no spent shells. Police said CCTV footage from the area was being reviewed, while several persons were questioned and statements were being taken.
A search of the surrounding area failed to locate any suspects.
Beckles’ body was taken to Memorial Gardens Funeral Parlour to await a post-mortem examination. Investigations are continuing.
Discussion
Source: Kiskadee Watch
Karimbaksh sent on leave after mounting criticism over rape allegation
https://kiskadeewatch.com/guyana/karimbaksh-sent-on-leave-after-mounting-criticism-over-rape-allegation/
Karimbaksh sent on leave after mounting criticism over rape allegation
After mounting criticism over its handling of rape and threatening behaviour allegations against Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh, the Guyana Police Force yesterday finally announced that he had been sent on leave pending the outcome of an investigation.
The statement also named Karimbaksh, who heads the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). An earlier police statement confirming the investigation had omitted his name and did not say whether he had been removed from duty.
The Force said Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken had established an investigative team following receipt of the report. It also confirmed that the female police inspector who made the complaint had been transferred to Regional Police Division Four ‘A’.
“The Guyana Police Force wishes to assure the public that the allegations are being treated with the seriousness they warrant and that the investigation will be conducted professionally, impartially and in accordance with established procedures,” the statement said.
It added that due process would be afforded to all parties and further information provided as necessary.
The statement did not specify whether Karimbaksh was on administrative or vacation leave, when the leave took effect, or who would perform his duties. It also did not identify the investigators or provide a timetable for completing their work.
The announcement follows calls from women’s organisations, opposition figures and others for Karimbaksh to step aside and for an independent investigation.
Kiskadee Watch previously reported that repeated questions from journalists in the Joint Services WhatsApp group had gone unanswered before Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond publicly confirmed the complaint. The group includes the minister, Hicken and other senior police officials.
Walrond subsequently disclosed on the Starting Point podcast that Hicken had appointed an investigative team. She also expressed strong support for Karimbaksh being sent on administrative leave, but referred to the absence of a constituted Police Service Commission and said she would discuss the matter with the commissioner. She said the complainant’s transfer had been made at her request.
Former Police Service Commission chairman Paul Slowe had also called for Karimbaksh to proceed on leave in a Facebook post two days before Thursday’s announcement.
“What will it take for the government to act following the allegation of rape made against Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh?” Slowe asked.
Red Thread’s Karen de Souza had questioned the independence of the internal investigative arrangements and called for the complainant to be protected from pressure. She also criticised Karimbaksh’s continued presence at work while the allegation was being investigated.
Discussion
Source: Kiskadee Watch
Special education school opens at Mabaruma
https://kiskadeewatch.com/guyana/special-education-school-opens-at-mabaruma/
Special education school opens at Mabaruma
Region One’s first Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) school has opened in Mabaruma, with an initial enrolment of two learners and capacity for up to 30, the Ministry of Education has announced.
The ministry said the school has four staff members trained in SEND and will provide specialised support closer to home for children who would otherwise have to travel outside their communities to access services.
It described the facility as the 57th of its kind nationally and said similar initiatives are planned for Region One’s other two sub-districts, Moruca and Matarkai.
According to the ministry, the Mabaruma school will provide personalised support, resources and learning opportunities for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
The announcement did not specify the age range catered for, admission procedures, the cost of establishing the school or when the proposed facilities in Moruca and Matarkai would open.
The opening forms part of a wider expansion of special education services.
Stabroek News reported on March 4 this year that the ministry had opened the YAS School of Inspiration, describing it as the country’s 49th SEND space, with capacity for approximately 50 children.
Although the ministry identifies the new Mabaruma facility as Region One’s first SEND school, efforts to provide special education in the area predate its establishment.
In June 2011, Stabroek News reported that ten children with disabilities had been enrolled in the Mabaruma sub-region and that a small number of teachers had been trained to teach them. That initiative formed part of ministry efforts to enroll children with disabilities who had previously been outside the school system.
Discussion
Source: Kiskadee Watch
Teen dies after motorcycle strikes pole at Eccles
https://kiskadeewatch.com/guyana/teen-dies-after-motorcycle-strikes-pole-at-eccles/
Teen dies after motorcycle strikes pole at Eccles
A 16-year-old motorcyclist died on Wednesday afternoon after crashing into a lamp pole on Eccles Access Road, also known as Dumpsite Road, East Bank Demerara.
Police identified him as Vitor Leca-De Alencar, of Green Acres, East Bank Demerara. The accident occurred at around 4 pm.
According to police, Alencar was riding motorcycle CL 5461 west along the southern carriageway, reportedly at a fast rate, when he lost control while negotiating a right bend.
The motorcycle struck a lamp pole on the median separating the two carriageways. Alencar fell onto the roadway and sustained injuries to his head and other parts of his body.
Emergency medical technicians were summoned and he was examined at the scene and pronounced dead by a doctor.
His body was taken to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home to await a post-mortem examination.
Police investigations are continuing.
Discussion
Source: Kiskadee Watch
Discussion