Please forgive me

According to reports, the tearful teenager was led to an interrogation room at the unit where she was questioned by a team of officers and was later allowed to leave.

The girl was advised that she was now the subject of a police investigation and was further advised by her attorney.

Newsday understands that the schoolgirl yesterday penned a letter to the Prime Minister in which she apologised for her outburst in the video which was circulated on the Facebook social networking site and asked for forgiveness.

She made it clear that she is not a racist and asked the Prime Minister to be lenient with her.

In response, Persad-Bissessar told reporters she wanted to meet the teenager.

Addressing a ceremony to install lights at the Wilson Road Recreation Ground in Penal yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister told guests, “There are those of the view that I should meet with her and accept her apology, find out why she should do such a thing.”

Persad-Bissessar added, “As a mother and grandmother, this is a teenager, a young child, and I am sure you will agree with me when I say I should meet her, I should accept her apology and we should find out why as a young girl she found it necessary to do these things. I am not of the view in the circumstances that she should be punished in any way. I think first we should talk with her.”

Deputy Police Commissioner, Mervyn Richardson told Newsday that he was advised that shortly after 10 am yesterday, the girl surrendered to the Cyber Crimes Unit and was later allowed to leave.

However, Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs when contacted by Newsday shortly after 3pm yesterday said he was on his way to a meeting and could not comment on the matter involving the 14-year old Form One student.

“I can’t comment at this time because it is a police matter,” Gibbs said.

Also yesterday, West said he preferred not to comment or say anything about his client’s matter. However, sources told Newsday that a report on the girl’s surrender to the police was forwarded to Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and Minister of National Security Brigadier John Sandy.

On Sunday, the girl and her parents along with Diego Martin Central MP Dr Amery Browne went to the St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain law office of West where they sought his legal advice.

Also on Sunday, the Attorney General urged the student to surrender to the police but following that statement, relatives of the girl claimed that she was traumatised.

The girl has been the subject of several hate mails since going public on YouTube and Facebook with her remarks. The YouTube video and Facebook comments were handed over to the Police Commissioner on Friday and a police investigation launched into the girl’s remarks and alleged threat to the prime minister.

The girl allegedly used words such as “Ah go do for yuh” and “when they get fed up, they go get sniper and shoot she unexpected.”

Newsday understands the Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard is expected to give directions in the matter.