Magistrate Nalini Singh said in the Princes Town Magistrates’ court that she was minded to sentence Isahark, 45, a telephone operator at the San Fernando Magistrates’ court, to six months in jail which is the maximum penalty for making the false police report in addition to a $1,000 fine.

But the man, taxi driver Deonath Ramsubhag, whom she made the report against, poured out his heart inside the courtroom for the magistrate to have mercy on Isahark.

“Taxi drivers laughing at me.

People don’t want to travel with me but please have mercy on her Your Honour,” Ramsubhag pleaded. “No, No, please don’t do that to her.” Isahark had pleaded not guilty when she appeared on Thursday last before Singh but yesterday she changed her plea.

Prosecutor Sgt Shazeed Mohammed, related that at about 8.30 pm Isahark went to the Barrackpore Police Station and reported she was raped. Corporal Neil Nanan spent five hours investigating the matter in which he recorded a statement from Isahark then took her to the Princes Town District Health Facility.

The necessary medical tests were conducted with a view to sending them for analysis at the Forensic Science Centre. He arrested Ramsubhag, who was placed in a cell in the Princes Town Police Station for an entire night. But after Nanan had interviewed Ramsubhag and confronted Isahark, she admitted, “I never get rape. I lied.” Attorney Petronella Basdeo made a stirring plea on Isahark’s behalf, saying she was most contrite, had no previous convictions and the “victim” had forgiven her.

But Singh said that Ramsubhag was the important person in determining how the court treated with the matter and she called him forward.

“What’s your view with respect to this matter?” she asked.

Ramsubhag began to plead for Isahark, saying, “I forgive this lady for this….don’t send her to jail please. Please don’t do that. With all this thing I gone through, I forgive she. I know my reputation get damage; taxi men telling me all kinds of things.” Singh told Isahark, a mother of one and employed for the past 12 years, that she could have faced six months in jail. When the magistrate said that, Ramsubhag erupted with more pleas, “No no, please don’t do that. Please, don’t let she lose she wuk. What will happen to she?” Singh told Isahark that to fabricate a rape case against a man, is one of the most horrendous things one can do, “because at the end of the day, all a man has is his word.” The magistrate went on to tell her that her actions could have the effect of diminishing the public’s view about genuine rape victims.

Isahark is to report to the Probation Office, San Fernando, where it would be determined the nature of her 250 hours of community service. She is to return to court on September 21.

The JSC will hold two meetings on the ferry fiasco next week. One will be held on Monday in Trinidad and the other on Wednesday in Tobago.

Among those expected to appear before the JSC are a number of Government ministers and suspended PATT employee Leon Grant.

If he was invited to attend, Purdey told Newsday yesterday, “We will certainly attend. I am looking forward to meeting with Government and finding a positive path forward.” Purdey said “there was no crookedness” on Bridgeman’s part in the charter party agreements for the cargo vessel Cabo Star and passenger vessel Ocean Flower 2. “The contracts were above board,” he added.

The contract for the passenger vessel was eventually cancelled.

Apart from those quick comments, Purdey would not answer more questions. He said he would be issuing a press release before noon. Contacted after noon, he said the release was sent to another newspaper which will be distributing it to the rest of the media.

The JSC’s hearing on Monday in Trinidad will start at 1 pm under the chairmanship of Independent Senator Stephen Crease in the J Hamilton Maurice Room at the Office of the Parliament, Tower D.

On Wednesday the JSC will hold two hearings, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, at the Victor E Bruce Financial Complex, Scarborough, Tobago.

According to her brother Tony Ansou John, Deborah passed away peacefully on Wednesday night at 11 pm, after a valiant battle with cancer. She was 61 years old.

Educated at St Francois Girls Secondary, Carimac and the University of the West Indies (UWI), Deborah pursued a career in journalism and remained in the field for approximately four decades.

However, very early last year, Deborah, daughter of the late veteran journalist George John, began treatment for cancer. She was already at the stage-four level but she fearlessly fought it and lived her life as comfortably as she could.

But last Saturday at 11.40 am in her last posting on Facebook she said: “Basil breds, that friend request..

no…stay in the bush.” It was the first sign of what culminated on Wednesday night.

Deborah’s only child, Nadia, announced her passing in a Facebook post early yesterday morning and thanked everyone who supported the family during their difficult time. On learning of John’s death, people in and out of the industry only had favourable comments to make about her, such was her great personality. Express editor-in-chief Omatie Lyder said their editorial staff was shaken and deeply saddened by the news of Deborah’s passing. Lyder said: “Deborah was an experienced editor, exhibited expert knowledge on pan, calypso and the arts and a mentor and friend to many journalists. Her death is a great loss to the Express and the media fraternity.” One of Deborah’s closest friends Leroy Clarke, master artist and poet, told Newsday: “It mash me up. She tried hard. She had a hard act to follow in her father’s footsteps.” The Trinidad and Tobago Publishers and Broadcasters Association (TTPBA) also extended its condolences to the family of the long-standing journalist.

A release from the TTPBA said, “Ms John may have got her love for journalism from her father, the late George John, who was recognised, posthumously, for his contribution to the media industry.

“The TTPBA is certain that Deborah John will be sorely missed by members of the media and by her colleagues at the Express newspaper.

And to them, we also extend our heartfelt condolences.” Pan Trinbago also issued a release that stated, “It is with deep regret that our organisation learnt about the passing of Ms Deborah John, one of your esteemed editors.

“Ms John’s profound personality is memorable, she was also an avid pan music lover and was always seen at our concerts and competitions.

Rest assured her presence will be missed. She was hard working and skilful and her work will go a long way to benefit future generations.” Pan Trinbago expressed its deepest sympathy to the John family, her extended Express family and the media. Several other high-profile people sent condolences to the John family including musicians, artistes, and other members of the media. Deborah leaves to mourn her daughter Nadia, brothers Anthony and Gregory, sisters in law Paula and Lydia, family and friends. Funeral arrangements are still being finalised.

The activities get going at 6 am with a 5K marathon for adults and a 3K run for the children with am added bonus of complimentary massages for race participants.

Breakfast, lunch, drinks and snacks will be on sale and a variety of stalls as well as Purple Dragon products will be on sale. Other activities include bubble football, tug of war and an aerobic burnout will complete the events.

The Ministry of Health will also be on site to offer blood pressure testing, cholesterol and blood sugar tests.

Additional entertainment will be provided by a DJ and moko jumbies.

The organisers are inviting the public to support the event as part proceeds will assist with the medical expenses for one of the Purple Dragon instructors.

For more info and registration for marathons check Facebook

According to reports at about 3.30 pm yesterday, Eastern Division police received calls from residents that a woman was seen down a precipice in a heavily forested area off Oropouche Road. Police went to the scene and found the body of the woman believed to be in her late thirties in a blue three-quarter jeans and blue striped t-shirt lying face down.

Police said the body showed marks of violence and foul play has not been ruled out. An autopsy is expected to be done today to determine a cause of death. Newsday was told the body is said to match the description of a woman who reportedly went missing several days earlier. However, up until press time, police were unable to confirm whether this was the missing woman.

Dead are Michelle Harrylal, 26, her common-law husband Michael Applewaithe, 35, and another male who remained unidentified up to press time.

At about 8 am, a villager in a car was alerted to the tragedy when he saw Harrilal’s four year old son wandering barefoot along the roadway. The villager said the boy appeared to be traumatised.

The crying child told the woman his mommy was burnt in a fire and is in heaven.

The villager, who knew the boy, drove to the family’s home and saw the house burnt to the ground. The house is located miles off the Carlsen Field Road in a forested area and there are no houses in close proximity to the structure. Members of the Police and Fire Services were contacted and when they arrived, police said a trail of blood was found near the ruins.

Investigators are working on the theory that the occupants were killed and their bodies set on fire in the house.

Residents said they had seen smoke earlier that day but many assumed it may have been a bush fire in the area. Newsday was told the boy lived with his mother and step father at the location for the past year.

It was shortly after 2pm fire fighters removed the skeletal remains of three people. They were viewed by district medical officer Naresh Singh who instructed the police to take the remains to the Forensic Science Centre. Investigators said tests would have to be done to confirm the identity of the victims. Yesterday, villagers expressed shock as they watched crime scene investigators remove charred bodies. Harrylal’s sister, Dana Babwah, 20, had to be consoled by relatives. She told Newsday she could not understand why someone would want to harm her sister. “I can’t believe this is happening,” she said as her hands trembled. Babwah said she was happy her nephew was not harmed. “It is a really a miracle he is alive.

He ran from the fire and did not know where he was going but he just kept running until he reached the roadway where he was found wandering.” Babwah said she last spoke to her sister on Monday.

“My sister and her son were very close. You never saw Michelle without her son, it breaks my heart what happened. The man she was living with, Michael, treated her son like his own and (the child) would call him daddy.” Babwah said she was unaware of any threats made on her sister’s life.

The child was was taken to the Chaguanas Health Facility were he was examined and discharged.

Homicide Region Three police officers are investigating.

It didn’t take long for me to discover a profound respect for Deborah, who defied the norm of the boisterous, high-strung journalist in a newsroom where objects sometimes flew through the air. I am not joking. There actually were times when we really had to dodge missiles.

Deborah, always cool-headed and calm, often served as a peacemaker in that energy-charged environment.

I never once saw her angry, flustered or judgmental. I remember her as one of the most open-minded and accepting journalists I have ever known.

On the other hand, I was a bundle of nerves, unsure of myself and always frustrated that I couldn’t seem to establish an identity as a journalist. I had been writing under the name Deborah Jacob because Jack Cady, a wellknown writer from Seattle that I had known, once told me not to use my nickname Debbie when I wrote. “It’s a little girl’s name,” he said.

The decision to use Deborah did not work out well for me.

It only confused people. Thirty- three years ago when the Trinidad Express made its home in the old cocoa house, I would often get calls from the receptionist saying someone wanted to speak to me. An utter look of shock always crossed the person’s face once I appeared. The person would inevitably say, “But you are not Deborah John.” No, I wasn’t Deborah John. Her reputation as a fair, unbiased and caring journalist had been firmly established. It preceded my entry into journalism. Still, Deborah never made me feel unwelcome.

She created no feeling of competition with other reporters. She had established her own reputation as a journalist separate and distinct from the identity her father, journalist and editor George John, had established.

She had a keen eye for a story.

Deborah had been one of the first journalists to recognise the rising star of David Rudder, and when I settled in features and often wrote entertainment stories, she shared her contacts and her anecdotes about soca stars so that I could establish myself. We often ended up writing stories on the same people and the stories never appeared to be competitive. They complemented each other.

For some, journalism can be a job. Journalism proved to be Deborah’s life, and she pursued it with a rare, selfless zeal, always seeking to elevate the profession over her own personal reputation.

Years after I left the Express, I still remember a phone call I got from Deborah John about a study companion Macmillan Caribbean had me write for the play Moon on a Rainbow Shawl, written by her uncle, Errol John.

Deborah had been so happy, excited and supportive about the study companion. She told me that Errol John’s wife, her aunt, was still alive and she would arrange for me to meet her if I wanted. I never took her up on that opportunity, but I always felt proud that Deborah had been so pleased that a critical work of Errol John’s had been published.

I’m sorry that I never told Deborah how much I appreciated her support when I first came into journalism. At the time, I was so self-absorbed I could feel nothing but frustration that I could be confused continuously with someone else. Now, in hindsight, I realise what a privilege I had been afforded to be mixed up with such a kind, gracious, professional journalist: a good soul, whom we will all miss.

The new 18,000 square feet, family entertainment centre includes a variety of attractions such as a large bumper car track and an innovative children’s play area as well as lots of other fun games and activities.

The Chaguanas store was opened in response to feedback from the successful South branch according to CEO Steve Maharaj. “Ever since we opened our first store in South, we received a lot of requests from guests to open a branch in central as their family entertainment needs were not being met. We are pleased to finally bring the FunStation brand to Chaguanas,” Maharaj said.

The new laser tag arena is already popular with both adults and kids as they compete to become the champion of the arena. “It’s nice to see parents and children playing together.

We have also hosted a number of laser team-building events for companies. It’s a great icebreaker for staff.” Both kids and adults can also enjoy the new bumper car track. “The cars are large enough that two adults can fit together in one car. It’s especially fun watching kids’ excited expressions as many of them are driving for the first time.” The Active PlayZone is the newest attraction. It is a two-level fully interactive play area with elements such as ball blasters, obstacle course and a spiral slide. The PlayZone is healthy, active fun for kids. It is always supervised by an attendant as safety is a high priority at FunStation.

Continuous improvement is critical to long-term success, Maharaj says. “TT has a very advanced population when it comes to entertainment. Our company has a philosophy of continuous improvement and we’re always adding new games and attractions. FunStation (South) was the first standalone family entertainment centre locally and the first to have fixed-location bumper cars, carousel, train, rocket ride and mini-bowling. We introduced laser tag to TT and this year we added the Active PlayZone. Now Chaguanas can share in the fun!” FunStation opens everyday including holidays and admission is free.

Who knows what great things Baby Jane Doe could have achieved. Was she someone who could have risen up amid her circumstances to become prime minister? Maybe a concert pianist? A high-ranking CEO? A mother? A sister? A friend? We will never know.

We condemn in the strongest possible terms this murder. According to forensic pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov, the child was born alive. How she came to be deposited at the dump is the mystery law enforcement authorities will have to unravel with haste. As a society, we cannot condone this act, an act of complete barbarity.

It is essential that members of the public come forward with any information they might have in relation to this matter. This includes people who may have been in the vicinity of the dump, as well as others who have had quiet, but legitimate, cause for suspicion in communities.

We urge all to heed the call of the police to come forward with any information they may have as to the whereabouts of the parents and any other people who may have been involved. They must be apprehended if only because such people may themselves be at risk and might also pose a danger to others given the quality of the act they have committed.

Though the custody chain of the body is yet to be established, a key matter that calls for greater scrutiny is the level of security at the dump.

There have long been concerns about unauthorised access to the Beetham Landfill by people living in the environs and elsewhere.

This access is a public health hazard as well as a national security matter.

It is clear there are systems in place at the Beetham to ensure it remains a heavily controlled area. However, are those systems good enough? The regularity of fires at the dump over successive administrations has been a clear symptom of the need for greater controls.

The Ministry of National Security as well as local government authorities must regularly conduct reviews of arrangements to ensure best practices are always enacted. However, the matter goes well beyond the Beetham.

This child was born to a mother and a father who must have come from a community. We can only speculate as to the circumstances of the birth at this stage.

Suffice it to say all sorts of issues may have been involved, ranging from economic to mental.

None of these factors are in any way an excuse for what has taken place. Yet, we as a society cannot see incidents like this one and turn a blind eye. We have to do better.

A general checklist should include a careful examination of the quality of facilities available to mothers. Is adequate counselling available at our hospitals? Are there enough resources in place to identify at-risk patients? How aware are mothers of postpartum depression? Are we treating mental health on the same footing as physical well-being? A look at some of the country’s major public health facilities provides worrying signs. All over the country, at health facilities all over the land, ranging from general hospitals to health centres, there is a lack of emphasis on what should matter most: service.

Healthcare is not just needles and pills and surgeries and prescriptions.

It is an engagement with the fullness of the human being, the sacred soul housed within a fragile body.

We call on people with information to come forward, and for the State to keep an eye on the need to provide better support to mothers. But most of all, let there be justice for Baby Jane Doe.

According to reports, Dale Lutchman, 45, of Oropouche Road, Sangre Grande, his son Darryl Lutchman, 14, and Brandon Sam were allegedly abducted.

Early yesterday, Dale Lutchman was released in the same area from which he was allegedly kidnapped. He was unable to give any useful information to the police except to confirm that his son and nephew were kidnapped. He could not say where they were taken.

According to reports, at about 10.30 am yesterday, Darryl’s mother Ria Lutchman received a phone call from a man claiming to have her son and nephew in his custody.

The man demanded that she pay a ransom of $350,000 for their safe return or the teens would be killed.