DPP probes ‘rich men’ file

POLICE files on a shooting incident involving “rich people” at Staubles Bay on February 5 as well as the file on an alleged assault on handicapped people on the night of May 26 have gone to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Geoffrey Henderson for directions.

Sources at the DPP’s office confirmed yesterday that DPP Henderson received both files, but said that he has not yet looked at the “rich people” file, but that the file on the alleged assault on handicapped people “is being looked at.” Both files were received late Monday by the DPP, sources said. The February 5 incident occurred when about 15 wealthy businessmen, in two boats, allegedly fired off their licensed firearms near Coast Guard Headquarters, Staubles Bay, causing the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force to be placed on alert for about eight hours. The two boats were subsequently intercepted and the wealthy men detained. However, they were released after giving statements to officers of the Carenage Police Station in the presence of their attorneys. Four licensed semi-automatic pistols were seized. 

In the alleged assault of the handicapped people, George Daniel, chairman of Disabled People International/TT claimed he was thrown to the ground outside the National Flour Mills Plant, Wrightson Road. Daniel alleged that a police vehicle pulled up and a corporal stepped out and told the group of disabled people that they were bringing down the government, making business bad for NFM and that they and their tent would be removed. He said he then saw a silver Suzuki jeep out of which came personnel from a security service who were directed to move the protesters and their tent. Daniel said he held on to the tent in protest and claimed that one of the security men lifted his chair and moved him.  He said he was still holding on to the pole when the man in charge of the security firm pulled his hand from the pole and he fell to the ground, injuring his hand and foot. The disabled man also claimed that two constables who were with the corporal stood by and did nothing, while the others from the jeep lifted the tent and moved it away from the entrance of the NFM.