Licks for soldier after confrontation, threats

A PRIVATE attached to the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment is now at Teteron Barracks while an investigation is ongoing, after he was beaten into a semi-conscious state by three armed men last Thursday and dumped on his father’s front porch. According to reports, Private Adrian Greenidge, 26, was driving his car north after leaving South Trinidad around 2 am Thursday. Outside the Grand Bazaar Mall on the Solomon Hochoy Highway, his vehicle was blocked by another car. Three men armed with shotguns came out and began to beat him about the body.

He was dragged into the gunmen’s car, while one of the armed men took over his car. He was then taken to his father’s Cane Farm home in Trincity where he was left on the porch. His father, who was awakened by the sound of knocking on the door, found his son bleeding on the ground and immediately contacted the Arima police and Teteron. The car was found  in the middle of the road a short distance from the house. There was a note in the car Investigations revealed that it is the third time in two years that Private Greenidge has been threatened and the second time in five days. After the 43rd anniversary parade of the TT Regiment on Saturday July 23, the young private twice had to drive off from a man who was threatening to shoot him. A report was made at the Besson Street Police Station.

He drove to his father’s Trincity home where he spent the night. The next morning, a note was found on his car. Reports were made to the Regiment and the Police Service. Police, Regiment and relatives believe the latest attack is related to a situation last year when Greenidge’s life was threatened. In that incident, the front glass door was broken and two beer bottles thrown in his living room. Investigations revealed  Greenidge confronted a bandit in his house and dealt him several blows on April 3. The next day the bandits attempted to enter Greenidge’s landlord’s house and were again beaten.

On Monday, a bandit again returned to Greenidge’s residence and was greeted by two bottles to his back as he fled. The threats came after that. Nothing has been done since by police or regiment, and the Greenidges’ lives returned to normal, although they were advised to move. After the threat and attack, they have now decided to move. Greenidge expects protection from the army.