Nurse attacked, raped

Police sources said during the early hours of yesterday morning the nurse was at the learning centre at the northern side of the St James District Hospital, when she was attacked by the guard who covered the woman’s mouth, threatened her with violence if she raised an alarm and dragged her off to a deserted area where he raped her. After the assault, the guard left the compound.

The weeping woman made a report to the St James police and officers took the woman to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where she was medically examined and treated. Officers later got the identity of the security guard, who is said to be in his late twenties and subsequently arrested him.

Police sources said the man will be placed on an identification parade today and once pointed out by the victim, will be formally charged.

In the wake of the attack on the nurse, her colleagues and other female workers at the hospital have expressed concern for their personal safety especially when they are on duty at evening, late night and early morning shifts. “This is just a terrible, terrible thing to have taken place,” said a nurse who spoke to Newsday yesterday on the basis of strict anonymity.

“I don’t know how I am supposed to feel safe here especially since the person who attacked my colleague is supposed to be guarding us and protecting us from the very incident that took place,” the nurse said. A male worker at the hospital told Newsday, “That man lucky my co-workers and I didn’t catch him or he would have been in need of medical attention.

I hope the authorities deal with this issue and charge this man. He was supposed to protect us...not harm us.” Contacted for comment yesterday, North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) Chairman Dr Andy Bhagwandass reserved comment telling Newsday that an active investigation is underway and it would be premature for him to give his opinion on the matter.