Baby-biter remanded for further evaluation

He was again remanded in custody at St Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital, for further evaluation.

Jermour Noel, 24, re-appeared yesterday before the magistrate, in the Port-of-Spain Eighth Magistrate’s Court, on the charge of wounding his newborn daughter, Jinayah Noel, with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm. Baby Jinayah was only five days old at the time of the alleged incident.

When the matter was called yesterday court prosecutor, Sgt Ricky Lochan, handed the magistrate a letter, and she told the court that the hospital wanted an additional 14 days to complete its evaluation.

Noel’s attorney Vitti Furlonge-Kelly responded by saying he could not object to the extension and enquired from the magistrate what the further tests were.

The attorney noted that it was important for him to know, whether or not the psychiatric hospital would be doing a comprehensive evaluation on the accused. Furlonge-Kelly enq-uired whether or not the final evaluation from the hospital would include information such as Noel’s IQ to determine, if the accused has autism, or mild or moderate retardation. He further enquired if the hospital will be conducting a CT or MRI scan, adding he was hoping its staff members were not wasting time.

Ayers-Caesar responded by saying the hospital was not required to say at this stage what the tests were. She said upon completion of the evaluation, the hospital will give the court a report.

She also noted that many accused persons have been sent to the said hospital for evaluation, and thus Noel was not an isolated case.

The charge against Noel, a cable technician, alleged that he committed the act on December 13 last, at a house at Smith Place, East Dry River, Port-of-Spain. He lives at Poinsettia Drive, Morvant. Cpl Sankar laid the charge.

The magistrate yesterday postponed the case to January 24.

The newborn babygirl underwent surgery at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope and is said to be recovering.

Yesterday marked Noel’s third appearance in the court. He first appeared on December 12 when he was remanded at the psychiatric hospital for evaluation.

Two weeks later on December 27, he re-appeared on the charge and hospital officials requested additional time to conduct further evaluation on the accused.