Connect with us

TCI Court

Still locked up, Confessed School Burglar awaits Sentencing

Published

on

Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

Appearing before Acting Resident Magistrate Ms. Patricia Arana, from the Grand Turk Magistrate Court via video link on Monday March 25th, 2024 was a second North Caicos defendant.

DEVANO HANDFIELD, 25 admitted that he burglarized more than one classroom of the Raymond Gardiner High School (RGHS) in Bottle Creek, North Caicos.  The charge read that on 13th/14th March 2024 he was armed with a knife and used that knife to gain entry in the school classrooms and stole a number of laptops and other items from the school.

The accused was in a very loud argumentative mood, and when first addressed by the learned acting Resident Magistrate, he shouted, ” Who’s the judge? Because I need to know who I’m talking to!” 

The accused added, “I see all kinds of people on the screen, I don’t know who’s the judge.”

At the time, there were indeed, at least six people appearing on screen, all at once during the video link ; they were awaiting their matters to be called. 

It was difficult to distinguish who was speaking.

Once the accused was satisfied about who was the Magistrate in his matter, it proceeded and her Hon Arana asked the Crown to read the facts of the case since the accused had pleaded guilty. 

She then asked the obviously agitated accused Devano Handfield, “Do you agree with the Crown’s fact? He replied, “I ain’t agreeing to nothing. I just want this case over with. He then changed his position, and sucking his teeth said, “Man, yes, I agree with everything she said.”

He told the Resident Magistrate that he is on drugs, naming crack cocaine and other drugs, “but yes I broke the school open.” 

The Hon. RM then attempted to adjourn the case but Handfield butted in, demanding that the matter be settled no.

“No, no, no I wa get this over with today” “I ain’t into my case getting put off over and over again and gotta come back and forward to court.”

The RM told him, “you don’t dictate the process. The matter is adjourned until 10th April for sentencing, and you’re remanded in custody.

Health

Ministry of Health and Human Services Reports Outbreak of Gastroenteritis in Grand Turk  

Published

on

Turks and Caicos, September 12, 2024 – The Ministry of Health and Human Services (MoHHS) reports an outbreak of gastroenteritis affecting the island of Grand Turk. Gastroenteritis (GE), which causes diarrhoea and or vomiting,  can be triggered by viral or bacterial infections resulting in inflammation of the stomach and intestines. These infections can spread easily from person to person by direct contact, contact with contaminated food or water, or contact with contaminated surfaces/objects. Some people (usually the very young or elderly) are very vulnerable and may require hospital admission due to dehydration. It is, therefore, essential to drink plenty of fluids during the illness to avoid dehydration.

The public health team has been actively responding since initial reports and, to date, has done a number of inspections and provided advice. A number of school-aged children from various schools, along with their close contacts have been affected. The Ministry of Education has been apprised of the situation, and the MoHHS is working closely with its education partners to mitigate further spread.

Gastroenteritis can commonly occur in school and nursery settings and may be caused by viruses such as norovirus or, more rarely, by food poisoning. Symptoms commonly include:

  • vomiting (often sudden in onset)
  • diarrhoea
  • both diarrhoea and vomiting
  • tiredness
  • fever
  • nausea (feeling sick)
  • aching muscles
  • stomach pain
  • headache

 Symptoms may begin one to two days after infection and typically resolve in one to three days.

 Recommendations:

  1. Practising proper hand hygiene at all timesis essential to prevent the spread of GE and other communicable diseases.

Children should be supervised and encouraged to wash their hands before eating, drinking, and after using the toilet.

Hand washing with liquid soap and warm water should be done frequently for at least 20 seconds.

Paper towels should be used for drying hands, and a wastepaper bin should be provided for disposal.

Persons looking after ill loved ones should pay particular attention to proper hand hygiene to prevent getting sick.

Alcohol gel can be used in addition to soap and water.

  1. Handle and prepare food safely. Before preparing and eating your food:

Carefully wash fruits and vegetables well.

Clean and sanitise kitchen utensils, cutting boards, counters, and surfaces routinely.

  1. Practice proper cleaning and disinfection, particularly of frequently touched surfaces.

Surfaces and touch points (taps, toilet flush handles, door handles, light switches) should be cleaned and disinfected with a bleach-based cleaner.

Use detergents and bleach solutions in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to clean these surfaces regularly.

  1. If you or your child is sick, you should not go to school/work and not return until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have resolved without medication.
  2. Ensure that you or your child is properly hydrated.Avoid dehydration by offering an oral rehydration solution gradually.
  3. Seek medical attentionif your child:
  • Becomes unusually drowsy
  • Vomits frequently or vomits blood
  • Has bloody diarrhoea
  • Shows signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth and skin, marked thirst, sunken eyes, or crying without tears. In an infant, be alert to the soft spot on the top of the head becoming sunken and to diapers that remain dry for more than three hours
  • Is an infant and has a fever
  • Is older than three months of age and has a fever of 102 Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius) or more

The Ministry of Health and Human Services will continue heightened surveillance for gastroenteritis and take necessary actions to mitigate against further cases.

For additional information, please call 649-338-5469 or visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.

Continue Reading

News

Unlawful Entry Matters before TCI Courts

Published

on

Turks and Caicos, August 22, 2024 

 #1 Immigration Officer Delsin Simmons charged a 34 year old cosmetologist of Haiti with unlawful entry.

 LAZARRE IRENE was sentenced to seven months imprisonment at His Majesty’s Prison, having pleaded guilty to the offense.

#2. 36-year-old TERZILLE EQZANTIS was also in court for breach of the immigration Ordinance. Pleaded guilty to unlawful entry and was given time served.

#3. A 43 year old Carpenter of Blue Hills, YOVANI VENTURA, was charged by Officer E. Freites for unlawful Entry.

He is from the Dominican Republic and pleaded guilty to the offense. He was remanded to prison for sentencing.

#4. ARIO JAMES TAYLOR, 24, of Five Cays on Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (A.O.A.B.H) and Provocation of Violence by used of threatening words case was adjourned to September 23rd, for trial. He entered a not guilty plea and bail is extended.

Eagle Legal News Media

Continue Reading

News

Court Matters include drug possession, burglary, overstaying, property damage and alleged sexual assault

Published

on

Wilkie Arthur

Eagle Legal News Media

 

Case #1:  Woman Police Detective Miss.A. Forrester charged WOLBERT FERGUSON of Kew Town, Providenciales, with possession of criminal property.

The Water Sports Operator, age 33, is a Turks Islander, did not plea to the offense. The matter was adjourned until July 31, 2024 for mention.

The defendant was granted $4000.00 bail and curfew condition imposed.

Case #2: Investigating Police constable A. Lewin charged an unemployed Blue Hills man, age 37 for the offense of Burglary.

KELANO FORBES, a Turks Islander, born in South Caicos, did not plea, and his matter adjourned to September 6, 2024 for sufficiency hearing. He’s on $2000.00 bail.

Case #3: MARTIN THOMAS GRAY of Leeward, Providenciales, an Immigration Agency Consultant appeared before the court for Breach of Bail.

The Turks Islander was ordered to pay $2000.00 payment by October 1, 2024 to be paid $500.00 bi-weekly.

The Investigating Officer that brought the matter to court was PC B Forbes.

Case #4:  Immigration Officer Freites charged unemployed Haitian, RODLIN JEAN from Behind Mara, Blue Hills, Providenciales for the offense of remaining in the islands beyond permitted time (overstating).

The 20 year old did not plea, and his matter was adjourned until July 30, 2024 for mention. He was remanded into custody.

Jean has since been released on bail.

Case #5:  A 27 year old Turks Island student DEMAR BROWN of Glass Shack has been charged by PC DE La Cruz for the following offenses:

– Escaping Police Custody,

– Malicious injuries to property,

– Taking motor vehicle without authority, and – Using motor vehicle without insurance

The defendant is on bail, and the matter adjourned until August 23, 2024 for mention.

Case #6: JEAN RONEL JEAN BAPTISTE, 31 of Five Cays, Providenciales, a carpenter is charged with Possession of Controlled Drugs and four counts of Possession of Controlled Drugs with intent to supply.

His matter adjourned until September 6, 2024 for Sufficiency Hearing.

Baptiste was bailed in the sum of $2500.00 and the Investigating detective is PC Green.

Case #7:  An unemployed Haitian National CHANDELER JOSEPH of Missick Yard, The Bight, Providenciales is charged with Theft, Handling Stolen Goods, and Unlawful Entry.

The 24-year-old matter was adjourned until July 31, 2024 before Her Honor Ms. Patricia Arrana in Grand Turk.

He was remanded, and the Investigating officer is PC R. Manning.

Case #8:  ART PARKER of Bay Road, Blue Hills, Providenciales was in court on an application for Intimate Samples request by the Crown on allegations of Aggravated Burglary and Sexual Assault.

The 19-year-old Turks Islander’s matter was before Her Honor Mrs Oreika Selver-Gardiner.

The application for intimate samples was refused. The investigating officer who brought the request was Detective Police M. Goslyn.

 

Wilkie Arthur,

Court Correspondent, Eagle Legal News Media.

CONTACT:  #342-3407 for advertisements, sponsors, and/or donations in support of this growing media Network.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING