Minister’s driver beaten by bandits

THE driver of Junior Minister of Trade and Industry and San Fernando West MP, Diane Seukeran, remains warded in critical condition at Hospital after being savagely beaten and left for dead by a bandit who later relieved him of jewelry and his wallet during the early morning hours on  Sunday. As a result of the repeated  blows to his head, Russel Wilson, 52, of Harris Street, San Fernando, sustained a fractured skull and subsequent haemorrhaging of the brain.

Seukeran told Newsday that Wilson, who has been her driver for the past three years, went liming with his wife Deborah Francois on Saturday night. Around 2 am on Sunday, Seukeran related, Wilson stopped at a fast food outlet at the top of High Street, San Fernando, to purchase food while exiting the outlet, a man attacked Wilson and struck him repeatedly on the head with an object. Seukeran said even when her driver collapsed to the ground the man continued beating him. A helpless Wilson was relieved of his wallet and jewelry. Seukeran said when Wilson’s wife jumped out of the car and ran to her husband’s assistance, someone drove off in the vehicle and Francois could not tell whether the same person who beat Wilson, also drove off in the car. 

The Minister told Newsday when Francois telephoned the police for assistance, officers said they did not have any vehicles available at the time. Seukeran said Francois reported the incident to the police, but up to yesterday evening senior officers did not know about the incident and did not have an official report. Newsday understands doctors told relatives Wilson may never fully recover from the head injuries since they may very well cause long term problems, including seizures and memory loss. Seukeran said several tests were performed and doctors were doing everything possible to ensure Wilson recovers. Alluding to last week’s abduction of three-year-old Saada Singh and this incident, Seukeran said, “crime is not a question of race, or money. Where is the distinction? The Singh’s family is Indian and Russel (Wilson) is African.” San Fernando police are continuing investigations.