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No Jail Time, but Indian Man found GUILTY of Workplace Sexual Assault

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Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Reporter

 

#TurksandCaicos, September 15, 2023 – The CHIEF MAGISTRATE found Ritz Carlton ex-employee guilty of sexual assault on August 15, 2023; Magnetic Media was in court for the final day and verdict in a sexual assault trial against GYANARANJAN SINGH, 28 years old.

The trial of touching and groping a female in a sexual manner on her buttock in the work place resulted in a guilty verdict but the sentence was lenient as the man, though convicted, will serve no jail time.

His sentence was suspended and deportation recommended.

He was given a seven day grace period to get his stuff together and leave the country without immigration interference.  If Singh had failed to do so by or before the expiration of the grace period, immigration authorities would immediately be charged with making moves to detain the man in order to deport him back home to India.

The learned Chief Magistrate Mr. Jolyon Hatmin in his well articulate and self-explanatory reasoning for his decision said, he was convinced by the victim’s evidence led by Ms. Enjaleek Dickenson on behalf of the Prosecution that she was touched and groped sexually by the defendant.

The CM said the virtual complainant (VC) would know quite well when she’s been touched inappropriately.  He said that he was not convinced by the accused senior defense attorney Mr. Ashwood Forbes who accepted and said that “yes” there was a touch but his contentions leaned on the touch being “accidental” and “not sexual.”

Attorney Forbes submitted to the learned CM that the alleged incident happened in a small walk-in cooler/chiller with shelves and a trolley inside, while both(VC & defendant) were busy on a night in December of 2022, one of the busiest months in the peak tourist season.

Mr. Forbes invited the CM to look and please pay close attention to his client’s action after the accidental touch.  He began crying and stating he’s sorry, he ran the virtual complainant down as she tried to get away to make a complaint and he was repeatedly trying to stop her and kept saying I’m sorry… I’m sorry.

Forbes said this is a clear sign of he didn’t mean to do it, it was an accident.

Ms. Dickenson through re-examination challenged the defense assertion of how they incident went down, where it went down and that it was not an accident but a deliberate wrongful sexual attack on the female employee.

The CM explained the law on what he had to look for in the crown’s case.

He considered the proximity of the small space that the VC and the defendant had.  He considered consent but there was none in this case.  He said he accepted that the groping was by the defendant’s hand starting below and moving forward as described and re-enacted by the VC.

The CM as he concluded his written reasons, sentenced the defendant to 30 days at HMP, suspended for 12 months and deportation recommendation to take effect in seven days.

THE CHIEF MAGISTRATE’S “CONCERNING” OBSERVATION

After the sentencing, the Hon Chief Magistrate Mr. Hatmin paused for a moment and said “it is very troubling and extremely concerning that especially for men of color like ourselves, we always find ourselves disrespecting the opposite sex on the workplace.  It is a total disregard and disrespect for females that we cannot work around in an environment and not allow ourselves to be drawn away or taken down by sexual appetites and harassment of females on the workplace.

We must learn to appreciate and be able to work with the opposite sex and not make them uncomfortable.”

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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