Soldier tells kidnap story

A soldier with the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment yesterday told a jury how he and his girlfriend were kidnapped and robbed on Boxing Day 1999 after attending a pyjama party at the Centre of  Excellence. Kevin Weekes told Justice Alice Yorke Soo-Hon and a nine-member jury at the Port-of-Spain Second Criminal Court how he and his girlfriend were waiting for transportation on the Priority Bus Route at about 4.15 am, when the accused Otis Samuel and three other men pulled up in a car. Samuel came out of the car, pointed a gun at the couple and ordered them into the vehicle. They were taken to a spot at St Michael Road, Arouca.

The couple was ordered out of the car. The three other men who were wearing masks took the girl, while Samuel proceeded to rob Weekes of his gold chain, jersey and sneakers. He had earlier robbed him of three rings. Samuel then ordered Weekes to run. He ran for a short distance and hid.  A short while later he heard his girlfriend calling, and they both hid in bushes until daybreak. A report was filed at the Arouca police and on February 28, 2000, Weekes attended an identification parade and pointed out Samuel. Samuel is being defended by Selwyn Mohammed while senior prosecutor Jeron Joseph is representing the State. Mohammed started his cross-examination of Weekes and continues today when hearing resumes.