Teen in hospital after stabbing

The stabbing of a teenager and the robbery of a pundit at gunpoint marred Jouvert celebrations in South Trinidad yesterday morning. Schoolboy Omarie Jack, 16, of Preysal Village in Couva, was stabbed three times at Lord Street, around 1.45 am. He was warded yesterday in a serious condition at the San Fernando General Hospital. Police did not disclose what prompted the bloody attack on Jack, a Form Five pupil of the Princes Town Senior Comprehensive School.

Around 1.45 am, while Jack was dancing to soca music with friends at Lord Street, he was accosted by three men. Two of the men began kicking and punching the youth in the thick crowd of revellers. The other man pulled out a knife and stabbed the boy repeatedly in his chest, police said. The men subsequently left the youth lying on the road in a pool of blood and disappeared in the crowd. He was rushed by an EHS ambulance to the SFGH’s Accident and Emergency’s Department where he was treated and admitted. Police are yet to make an arrest.

In another incident yesterday, Pundit Mohan Bansgopaul, 64, was plying his car for hire when a woman and a man boarded his taxi in San Fernando at around 7.10 am. The couple asked to be taken to Marabella, police said, but on reaching Vistabella, the male occupant placed a gun to Bansgopaul’s forehead. The bandit ordered the driver to stop the car, then relieved him of $70. The male and female bandits, jumped out of the car police said. Marabella police are investigating.

Ten escape YTC for Jouvert fete

Ten inmates escaped from the Youth Training Centre (YTC) in Arouca prison facilities around 1.30 am yesterday, after removing louvres from one of dormitories. Nine of the youths were recaptured by a joint team of police and prison officers. Up to yesterday, a 15-year-old boy who was sent to the YTC because his parents were unable to discipline him was still at large.

Reports revealed that the ten who escaped wanted to attend Jouvert celebrations. The nine were all held a short distance away from the YTC and returned to the facility. Senior prison officers are expected to submit a full report on the escape to the prisons commissioner tomorrow. Investigations are continuing.

Belmont man shot dead in Savannah

A 23-year-old man who was recently freed on a charge of murder and attempted murder was shot dead while standing behind the North Stand at the Queen’s Park Savannah yesterday. According to reports, around 9.35 am, Nassau Charles of St Barb’s Road in Belmont was standing with Joel Victor, 25, when several loud explosions were heard. Charles was found with gunshot wounds and rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Victor, who was also shot, was treated at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.

He later discharged himself. Charles was charged with the murder of 13-year-old Joanna Walker, and the attempted murder of Abiola Graham on July 14 2003. The matter was dismissed during the preliminary enquiry, because the police witness in the matter failed to give evidence. Police officers believe the killing yesterday is linked to the 2003 murder and attempted murder. A teenage suspect in the killing was detained by the police shortly after the murder. He was taken to the Port-of-Spain CID where he was detained.