News

Special Prosecution says no reference to 2009 Commission of Inquiry needed

Published

9 years ago

January 20, 2016

Providenciales, 19 Jan 2016 – There will be no reference to the 2009 Commission of Inquiry by Andrew Mitchell for the Crown; Mitchell yesterday told the judge the evidence presented then is not relevant to the case the Special Investigation has built against the nine defendants.

The Opening Statement of Andrew Mitchell in the SIPT trial started yesterday and is focused on how nine land deals became suspect because of how the Michael Misick led PNP Administration handled them between 2003 and 2009.

In his opening Monday, it was explained that the Crown is focused on “Bribery and corruption. The case for the Crown is that prospective developers were encouraged to pay monies in order to procure development rights; to protect investments and the government ran itself almost as a protection racket: if you don’t pay, you can’t play.”

Naturally, the defendants are resisting these allegations and will have their chance to state their version of the events.

But for now, Mitchell has the floor and advised the court that it will hear evidence related to: Water Cay, the Seven Stars Complex, North West Point, Beaches Resort, Salt Cay, Juniper Hole, Joe Grants Cay/Dellis Cay, Projects which were being proposed by Richard Padgett (East Caicos and Third Turtle Club), South Caicos and West Caicos.

The QC for the Crown is strong in his presentation and is taking his time explaining to Judge and Jury, Paul Harrison how the alleged crimes happened. Mitchell says, “…bribes were paid to the serving Cabinet Ministers in order that they would act contrary to the ordinary rules of honesty and integrity, in the manner expected of Government Ministers.”

It is a long way to go for this trial, which is not expected to call a first witness until Easter.

Related Topics:andrew mitchell commission of inquiry paul harrison sipt trial sir robin auld

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Crime

Former Police Officer Opens up to Eagle Legal about Frightening Kidnapping and Robbery at Gunpoint; alarmed at TCI Police silence

Published

2 days ago

April 19, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Wilkie Arthur

Eagle Legal News

Tuesday, April 15, 2025 – Turks and Caicos Islands – In the early hours of Wednesday, April 9, 2025, a former police officer in the Turks and Caicos Islands was the victim of a terrifying robbery and kidnapping in the Dock Yard area, Eagle Legal News Media has learned.

Shortly after 3:00 a.m., the victim had just dropped off his girlfriend near Bible Street (Behind Mara) and returned to his vehicle when he was confronted by a lone, masked man armed with a firearm. The attacker, described as aggressive and agitated, demanded the victim’s wallet, phone, and other valuables. The victim, trying to remain calm, complied. His wallet reportedly contained over $1,000 in cash.

Despite giving up his belongings, the gunman continued to threaten him, demanding more money and pressing the firearm to the victim’s head and body. The victim described the ordeal as intense, saying he felt as if the bullets were already tearing through him due to the attacker’s inexplicable rage.

Although he considered using his police training to subdue the attacker, the victim noticed other men nearby observing the situation without intervening. Concerned for his life, he instead came up with a plan: he told the robber he could take him to an ATM to withdraw more cash.

“I felt like he was going to kill me for more money,” the victim said. “So I told him we could go to the ATM, even though I knew it was closed, just to get out of Dock Yard and buy myself a chance to survive.”

The assailant agreed, and the two drove to a nearby ATM, with the victim behind the wheel and the gunman keeping the firearm aimed at him the entire time, threatening him with violent language. When they arrived and found the ATM closed, the victim seized his moment.

“As soon as I stepped out of the car, I ran like Usain Bolt,” he recounted, “I tore through the bushes straight to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre.”

There, he hid in the brush for a time before emerging to seek help. He contacted authorities from the hospital, where he was treated for minor cuts and bruises sustained during his escape.

Thankfully, he was not shot.

The former officer described his assailant as a male with a mixed Jamaican-Haitian accent who spoke fluent English. The man reportedly told him he was hungry and desperate for money.

He recalled the gunman saying, “If you don’t get me more money, I’ll kill you.”

The assailant fled the scene in the victim’s car, which was later recovered by police in Dock Yard. As of this report, no arrests have been made.

The victim contacted Eagle Legal News after seeing no official police report released about the incident.

Bahamas News

CARIFTA Games 2025 – Trinidad & Tobago

Published

2 days ago

April 19, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

S C H E D U L E O F E V E N T S

The 2025 CARIFTA Athletics Games will be held at Hasely Crawford Stadium from April 19–21, while the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships take place at the National Aquatic Centre from April 19–22, with Open Water events on April 23 at Five Islands Beach.

Friday April 18, 2025

52nd CARIFTA Athletics Games and the XXXVIII CARIFTA Aquatics Championships Opening Ceremony

Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Admission Free

Saturday April 19, 2025

Athletics – Hasely Crawford Stadium: Port of Spain, Trinidad