Murder accused beaten, stabbed in court cells

TWO MEN on a murder charge were hospitalised in serious condition after being stabbed and beaten by fellow remand prisoners inside the cell blocks of San Fernando Magistrates’ Court, on Tuesday. The incident occurred around 12.45 pm, after prisoners Anthony Albert, 40, and Anil Gowin, 18, jointly charged with the murder of Gasparillo bottle collector Sudesh Sawh, appeared before acting Deputy Magistrate Mark Wellington. The two men told police they did not know who attacked them but reported being beaten on their heads, while Albert was stabbed. When police were loading prisoners into a van, they realised the two men were missing. On checking the cell block, the officers found both of them lying unconscious in a dark corner of the cell. Albert sustained a fractured skull while Gowin suffered head injuries. Both men also received lacerations about their bodies. Officers searched the prisoners and cell block but no weapons were found.

Other prisoners were questioned, but all claimed they saw nothing unusual. The two men are warded under police guard in serious condition at San Fernando General Hospital. Head of the Southern Division, Snr Supt Dawson Victor and Ag Insp Boodram are spearheading investigations. The holding cells of the San Fernando Magistrates’ courthouse has been in the spotlight recently, with problems ranging from prisoners locking themselves in the cells, to prisoners attempting to escape custody. Earlier this week, police officers  reportedly had a sit-down protest to draw attention to the unhealthy and inhumane condition of the cells.