Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

A Dominican female, after allegedly being sexually assaulted, allegedly recorded performing sexual acts and allegedly threatened and held against her will overnight by a jitney driver will have to wait a little longer for the conclusion of the matter.

Identified as the accused in this case is ELVETHAN MCFAIAN HANDFIELD, 47 of Parrot Cut Street, Cooper Jack, Providenciales; it is in the area residents call, Glass Shack.

Hon Chief Magistrate, Mr Jolyon Hatmin has remanded the man to prison until his sufficiency hearing on June 7, 2024.

A Dominican woman, resident in Dock Yard, Providenciales reported to police that she was on the road waiting on a jitney when she was picked up by the accused HANDFIELD.  She said he asked her where she’s going?  She said she told him to Dock Yard and then jumped into his car.  The woman said she had just gotten off from work and wanted to get home, instead, the driver allegedly detoured to what she suspected was his home, where he reportedly pulled out a knife and forced her inside.

The woman was held captive, according to her account of events to Police.  Raped repeatedly between Friday April 19th to Saturday April 20th; and then was threatened not to report the matter or face being humiliated, because her alleged attacker recorded the sexual encounter, without her consent and was prepared to post it online.

 Officers of the Safeguard and Public Protection Unit arrested ELVETHAN HANDFIELD shortly after the release of the woman, who filed a formal complaint. He was subsequently charged by female detective Ms. Michelle Goslyn with two acts of rape of female complainant, her identity revealed but which we withhold due to the sensitive nature of the crime.

The charges were laid against him on Friday April 26 and his court appearance was on Monday, April 29, 2024. HANDFIELD was not required to enter a plea as the CM explained to him that these are indictable offenses. The serious nature fit only for a Supreme Court trial.

In his attempt to get bail, as he was unrepresented at the arraignment, Ms.Tassja Mitchell of the DPP’s Office outlined all that is mentioned above and further told the Court that he there are other investigations pending, with more charges to come for the man who is known to the Police.

Mitchell explained that the Crown is opposing bail; expressing sincere concern for public safety if the suspect were to be released.  

While the Chief Magistrate dismissed hearing more about the other matters pending against ELVETHAN HANDFIELD.  

The Senior Public Prosecutor, Tassja Mitchell, in making a case for NO BAIL expressed to the Court that the Rehabilitation of Offenders’ Ordinance prevented her from giving the details of HANDFIELD’ convictions.

Bail for the man was denied; he is currently on remand at His Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – April 28, 2024– Graceway Communities, the charitable arm of Graceway Supermarkets, proudly hosted it’s fourth annual Earth Day Farmers Market, providing a platform for local farmers to showcase and sell their produce, fruit trees, and vegetables grown in their own backyards. The event, held in conjunction with various partners, aimed to promote sustainability, support local agriculture, and raise environmental awareness.

Collaborating with Environmental Arts, Sunshine Nursery, the Department of Agriculture, DECR, Fortis TCI, and TC Reef Fund, Graceway Communities saw the participation of farmers and community members from across the sister islands.

As part of the Earth Day festivities, Graceway Communities, in partnership with the Edward Gartland Youth Center displayed the first of three sculptures at IGA from April 19th to 23rd, captivating onlookers with its powerful message and artistic expression. The collaborative sculpture effort, led by youth from the Clement Howell Environmental Club, aimed to raise awareness about environmental issues, particularly the impact of plastic pollution on our planet.

In a bid to further commemorate Earth Day, Graceway Communities extended its efforts to Grand Turk, where a successful clean-up campaign was organized the following weekend. Six teams participated in the campaign, collectively collecting an impressive 2567.77 pounds equivalent to 1.2 tons of garbage from the environment. The New Testament Church of God emerged as the winners of the clean-up campaign, receiving a prize of three thousand dollars in recognition of their dedication and hard work.

Board Director of Graceway Communities Ms. Edith Cox commenting on the Earth Day festivities stated “Graceway Communities continue to make a positive impact on our local communities. Earth Day reminds us of our stewardship to protect and preserve our environment for future generations. The collaboration of our various stakeholders contributed to making this event an awesome success!

Commenting on the massive cleanup campaign the board chair stated “The Grand Turk Communities benefitted from a massive cleanup ridding their communities of more than 2,500 pounds of trash. Kudos to all who showed up to support their communities and their environment! The TCI can look forward to more environmentally friendly initiatives from Graceway Communities as we continue to make a difference in our communities!”.

For more information about Graceway Communities and their environmental initiatives, please visit www.gracewaysupermarkets.com.

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer 

Water restrictions for Providenciales customers will continue in May according to communication from Provo Water Company. The announcement came on May 1, a day after restrictions were supposed to end, and as the company continues projects to expand inflow.

“While diligently advancing these initiatives, the organization has determined that the nightly water restrictions remain necessary to ensure the replenishment of daily reserves as it strives to keep these projects on track,” said PWC in response to Magnetic Media questions on the scheduled end to the lock offs.

The May restrictions will not be every night rather they will be implemented on an as needed basis to safeguard those daily water reserves the company says. In the instance that they are implemented, restrictions will run from 11:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. a six-and-a-half hour cutoff rather than the initial 9:00 pm to 6:00 a.m.

“The company is actively pursuing multiple projects, including upgrades to the city water transmission main, the main city water line valves, and the Middle Booster Pump Station, alongside various other initiatives, to ensure long-term solutions to the supply issues,” PWC promised in the press release as they apologized for the extension.

The ongoing transmission main project is the closest to completion and should have been wrapped up in May, instead, that has been pushed to mid-June according to the company.

The water restrictions were initially announced in March, to be end in April because of increased demand outstripping the supply at the Suzy Turn reservoir. Credited for the increased demand is the large numbers of tourists and increasing residents that are entering the Turks and Caicos pressuring a system not made for the number of individuals now relying on it.

In June as PWC expects to complete the transmission main project, a record number of monthly air travelers will be heading to Providenciales; almost 80,000 according to the Ministry of Tourism highlighting the urgency of the upgrades.