Kidnap victim tells his tale to judge and jury

A RIO Claro taxi driver yesterday testified that after he was kidnapped and robbed, he managed to alert some men by shouting to them: “That man is a bandit, he just robbed me.” The man, victim Kissoonlal Persad was referring to in his testimony, was kidnap accused Brian Vespry who is before Justice Devan Rampersad and a nine-member jury hearing the case in the San Fernando Criminal High Courts. Persad of San Pedro, Poole, testified that Brian Vespry abducted him for three hours on January 15, 2003. Persad said Vespry ordered him to drive to a lonely area where he was robbed of $280.

Vespry, 23, of Point Fortin, went on trial before Justice Devan Rampersad in the San Fernando High Court charged with kidnapping Persad. Persad said around 12.30 pm, he picked up three passengers including Vespry, at Library Corner, San Fernando. But on reaching Princes Town, Vespry remained in the car while the other passengers left. Vespry asked to be driven back to San Fernando, saying he would hire the car. Persad told the jury that while he was driving, he felt an object on the left side of his stomach and heard Vespry say, “This is a hold-up.” Persad testified that he saw an eight-inch long blade pointed at him.

Led by State attorney Angelica Teelucksingh, Persad told the jury, “I became afraid for my life and decided to do what the accused asked.” Persad said Vespry ordered him to drive to Oropouche along the South Trunk Road, then into Mon Desir Village and into Naranjit Trace. Vespry instructed Persad to drive to the dead-end road and it was there, Persad said, the accused demanded money. “He sat in the driver’s seat and took control of the car,” Persad told the jury. The taxi driver added that he handed over $280. Persad said Vespry drove off with the car, but in an attempt to turn the vehicle around, the tyres got stuck in a drain.

Persad testified that he unlocked the door and shouted out to three men whom he saw standing on the road: “That man is a bandit. He just robbed me!” Persad said Vespry ran but the men chased him into some bushes and held him. Persad said he used a cell phone to contact the police, who arrived on the scene and arrested Vespry. After the evidence of four other witnesses, the State closed its case. But when called upon to make his defence, Vespry opted to remain silent in the dock. The case continues today when the jury is expected to hear addresses from Vespry’s defence attorney Ernest Koylass and Teelucksingh.