The accused men aged 28 and 22 and both of Enterprise, Chaguanas were sentenced to 18 and nine months imprisonment with hard labour respectively by Senior Magistrate Jo-Anne Connor in the First Court. The men pleaded guilty to the charges of house-breaking and larceny which carries a maximum of ten years in prison. Charges were laid by WPC Guerrero.

Prosecutor Sgt Ken Ali told the court that at about 8.30 am on Sunday, police on mobile patrol received a report of house breaking at Xeres Road in Carlsen Field.

The two were held with a bag containing a quantity of stolen items taken from a house. The items include a laptop, a TSTT modem and TT and US currency.

The trio was taken before Senior Magistrate Cheryl-Ann Antoine on Tuesday.

The charge alleges that the accused had in their possession an unlicensed .22 pistol on January 28. The husband pleaded guilty while the woman and teen pleaded not guilty.

Court prosecutor Sgt Wayne Waithe said that last week Saturday police were on patrol along the Solomon Hochoy Highway near Freeport when they had cause to stop a car driven by the husband.

The pistol was found in the car.

The man who pleaded guilty was find $10,000 or in default, three years imprisonment with hard labour. He was given seven days to pay the fine.

The woman and teen were granted $50,000 and $75,000 bail respectively and the case was adjourned to February 22.

This was the assurance of Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions George Busby who appeared on behalf of the State when Banfield’s alleged killer Dale Seecharan, reappeared before Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar in the Port-of- Spain Eight Magistrates Court yesterday.

Busby indicated he was waiting on the expedited police file and on the next occasion the matter comes up for hearing, he will seek to have statements sworn after which disclosure will commence.

The matter has been adjourned to next month.

Seecharan’s attorney Larry Williams last month complained of the slow pace with which the prosecution was moving with the matter.

Seecharan is charged with murdering Banfield sometime between December 4 and December 9 at Charlotte Street in Portof- Spain. Banfield went missing on December 5 and three days later, her body was found at the warehouse of IAM and Company

The action follows the school’s sudden closure at the beginning of the Christmas vacation, last December, when the ministry and the Presbyterian Board deemed the structure unfit for occupancy.

The school, which was built in 1891, underwent some refurbishment work to its external structure, last August, but the parents claimed the exercise was unsatisfactory.

The irate parents, who were accompanied by some students, said the ministry and the board have since made arrangements with the management of the Grovesnor Presbyterian School, Coalmine Road, Sangre Grande, to accomodate a segment of the school’s student population while some pupils were to be housed at a church alongside the Sangre Chiquito Presbyterian School.

The parents said the remainder of the students are forced to stay at home.

Newsday understands a maxi taxi was to be sent to the school to transport the affected students to the Grovesnor Presbyterian School but this never materialised President of the school’s Parent- Teacher Association (PTA) Camille Joseph yesterday claimed the ministry had never informed the parents of its decision to close the school in December, even though they were told last August, that the school was deemed unfit for occupancy.

“They never gave us any indication that the school was closing,” she complained.

Joseph said at the PTA’s last meeting with the ministry and the Presbyterian board, they were told students from Standards One to Four will be accomodated at the Grovesnor Presbyterian School while the Standard Five students will be housed at the Presbyterian Church in Sangre Chiquito.

“The church has one toilet and in the same condemned building, the children have to come down to go and use the toilet facilities,” she said.

“But the Second Year and First Year students will not be placed and we have no idea when they would be placed.” Joseph also claimed that the Sangre Chiquito Presbyterian School’s students would not be allowed to interact with students from Grovesnor Presbyterian School.

“We have learnt that they must not speak to them and have nothing to do with Grovesnor children at all, under no circumstances,” she said, adding that parents also were not allowed on the Grovesnor Presbyterian School’s compound to view the accomodation for their children.

In addition, Joseph claimed that break periods for the Sangre Chiquito school students at the Groversnor school would be reduced considerably.

“Lunch will cut to half an hour, recess and break times is cut to five minutes. But nothing has been cut from Grovesnor. They have their full time so that nothing will be disturbed and reorganised for Groversnor,” she claimed.

“We are saying, ‘Where are our children going, in prison?’ A child has a right to work in a comfortable environment. A child has a right to be happy to learn so that they can prosper and do great things in school.” Joseph said the parents want all of the students to be accomodated in the same location.

“We are not going with some of the children in one place and some not getting a place to go,” she said.

“We want all to be placed together, all must be comfortable and happy.” Contacted yesterday, a ministry official confirmed that preparations were made to accomodate the students from Standards One to Four at Grovesnor Presbyterian School while the Standard Five pupils were to be housed at the Sangre Chiquito Presbyterian Church.

“The furniture and materials were transferred to Groversnor Presbyrterian over the weekend,” the official said.

According to police reports, at about 10.30 pm the businessman, identified as Joel Edwards, was driving his vehicle near Scotland Drive, Cocoyea, San Fernando, when he was robbed.

Reports are that Edwards went to Scotland Drive to drop off a female business associate at her home.

He told police officers that while in the area, he stopped his vehicle and opened his trunk to take out documents.

As Edwards exited the vehicle, he was accosted by two men, armed with guns, who announced a hold up. The men pointed the guns at Edwards and then ordered him to lie on the ground. The thieves then ordered that Edwards hand over his keys of his Kia Cerato vehicle.

The robbers then escaped in the vehicle. Investigators said the men also escaped with an undisclosed sum of money and Edwards’ cellular phone which was in the vehicle.

Edwards reported the matter at the San Fernando Police Station. Up to late yesterday no arrests were made.

According to reports, Keston Joseph, 28, was at the party in company with his brother Sean, 20, when gunmen stormed the party and began firing at the two brothers.

It is reported that Keston returned fire but was killed in the shootout.

Sean was shot and was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex where he remains in critical condition.

In another incident, the body of Enrico Penco, 56, of Trincity was found lying face down in a drain behind ASJA Girls College, in Tunapuna.

Although the body bore no visible marks of violence it was ordered removed to the Forensic Science Centre.

According to reports at about 10 am yesterday, a passer-by observed the body and alerted the police who went to the scene along with a DMO and ordered the removal of the body.

Her personal disclosure came as she addressed the opening ceremony of the Faith Leaders Consultation yesterday at the Hyatt Regency, Wrightson Road, Portof- Spain. The consultation was hosted by the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

The consultation mulled the role of faith leaders in seeking to end the epidemic by 2030, in accordance with a goal set by the United Nations.

“I’ve often said that meaningful social change cannot happen with only the involvement of Government, but requires consultation and collaboration and a whole-of-society approach,” she said.

“The hosting of this consultation demonstrates that there is an understanding of the overarching influence of faith and the important role of faith communities in the scale-up of HIV prevention, treatment, care and advocacy.” She said in the Caribbean, people’s health-relevant behaviour is defined by factors including religion and cultural norms and values.

“It is recognised that faith organisations are a vital part of civil society which often reach out to vulnerable populations living under austere conditions.” She hailed faith groups for their work in peer education, community outreach, prevention and provision of psycho-social and financial support. “I want to share a personal story. When a close member of my family was diagnosed with HIV, it was a faith-based organisation which had given our family the courage to support my relative to go back to living a meaningful life in the small island community of Tobago.” She said faith organisations can help reduce stigma and discrimination.

Welcoming the inclusion of gender- based violence (GBV) on the conference agenda, she said studies have shown that physical sexual violence makes women more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS such as by reducing their space for negotiating safe-sex practices with their male partner. GBV also increases the engagement in high-risk behaviours and causes a low uptake in HIV screening, amongst other problems. She said her ministry welcomes suggestions on how to end the scourge of GBV in all its forms in this society.

“Your voice is very important, to bring about transformation in TT and the wider Caribbean.” PANCAP head, Derek Springer, noted that public health issues like AIDS/HIV do not undermine faith leaders, in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

A forum statement said ways to respond to AIDS included enhancing family life, increasing access to treatment, promoting prevention, reducing gender inequality, and legislating to repeal discriminatory laws. UN special envoy for HIV in the Caribbean, Dr Edward Greene, said FBOs had once contributed to “fear, stigma and discrimination” over AIDS/HIV, but since that time much has happened different.

The first prize will now be $500,000, with the second prize being $150,000 and third being $75,000, while fourth to tenth places will receive $25,000 each. For the World’s Ultimate Chutney Challenge (WUCC), the first prize is $100,000 with second to tenth place winners set to receive $20,000 each.

Promoter of the event, George Singh, said since the People’s National Movement (PNM) government assumed office, the prize money for the competition has been reduced by 75 percent.

“In 2016, prizes were cut from $4.5 million to $3.5 million and this year the Ministry of Culture revealed that CSM will be given $1.18 million to be divided among 20 artistes,” Singh said.

He added that this is the only platform that gives opportunity to the East Indian artform in T&T and the decision to cut the prize money will hurt the chutney soca industry.

“These singers will not be able to do any elaborate productions in this competition and that in itself is robbing the artiste of their ability to showcase their talent in chutney soca and traditional songs.” Singh said, while he understands that the country is currently experiencing a recession at this time, one has to look at the growth and development of Indo-Caribbean people and their culture through the years. He also said while he appreciates the allocation of the money, he did not expect such drastic cuts.

He made reference to the annual religious event of Divali Nagar saying that the National Council for Indian Culture is an NGO that has been developed to project religious culture.

“We have seen drastic cuts by the government there as well.” Drupatee Ramgoonai, who will be competing in the WUCC, said she is disappointed in the cut in prize money.

“After working so hard to get chutney accepted nationally at the Carnival level and internationally, it is sad to see other genres getting more money,” Drupatee said, adding that nothing can stop her from reaching out to her fans and delivering the best entertainment just as she has done for decades.

From as early as 6.30 pm fans and supporters began assembling at their favourite panyards.

The judges’ first stop was at PCS Silver Stars on Tragarete Road, Woodbrook where Professor Liam Teague had his charges running through his arrangement of “We are Conquerors”, a song composed by Alvin Daniel and Barnett “Preacher” Henry, singer Anslem Douglas was on hand to perform the song.

A quote hanging on a banner in the bar at Silver Stars read, “People come to Panorama to see panorama not to hear; you can stay home and listen to it on the radio. You want to go home with a great memory… Win, lose or draw they will always remember Silver Stars – Edwin Pouchet.” Somehow this set the tone for the evening as the young players in Silver Stars put in a very energetic performance inclusive of dancing and singing. Before Silver Stars’ performance, Gerard Mendez, chairman of the Northern Region of Pan Trinbago, welcomed the audience saying, “Welcome to the embattled Pan Trinbago Large Conventional Bands category. Yes we are embattled but we jamming still.” Mendez also explained that this year the judging at the panyards is unlike other years in that the scores will be given so that the public will know where the bands stand at each stage of the competition.

The second stop was in Mucurapo at MHTL Starlift where arranger Robert Greenidge and his players performed his arrangement of Peter Ram’s “Good Morning”.

Before long the judges’ caravan was fighting to get into Phase 11 Pan Groove yard which was overflowing with fans and supporters. Inside Len Boogsie Sharpe was anxiously awaiting the arrival of the judges.

When he got the judges’ nod the band performed his arrangement of “Red White and Black”. This too was a very energetic performance with players enjoying themselves.

By this time there were thousands of pan music lovers following the judges around to each pan yard.

Caribbean Airline Invaders were at the Queen’s Park Oval car park where they performed Arddin Herbert’s arrangement of the popular “Full Extreme” sung by Ultimate Rejects. Fans who were at the Oval early got a taste of the Ultimate Rejects as they performed the song before they left for the airport.

It was no easy task getting to Desperadoes Steel Orchestra on Frederick Street, but once there the judges heard the defending champions play Carlton “Zanda” Alexander’s arrangement of Peter Ram’s “Good Morning”.

This was a performance worthy of champions and it is going to take quite a lot to dethrone Desperadoes.

It was an easy walk to Massy Trinidad All Stars on Duke Street but it was not as easy to get into the yard which was packed to capacity.

When the judges did make it into the yard it was time to hear All Stars with their rendition of Leon Smooth Edwards’ arrangement of “Full Extreme”.

The arrangement was well executed and the players put on a show, bringing us right back to Edwin Pouchet’s quote.

All Stars are gunning for the top spot once again.

Contributing to the debate on the motion, moved by Independent Senator Dr Dhanayshar Mahabir, to amend the Legislative Retirement Allowances Act to allow for senators to contribute to a Members of Parliament pension fund, Rambharat also said on Monday that the motion was premature, and the country’s current economic situation could not allow it.

In a motion such as this coming from the Senate, he said, “there is always a risk of this house being self-serving.” On the motion being premature, he said, when legislation to deal with benefits for Members of Parliament and retiring judges it was passed in Lower House and sent to a Joint Select Committee (JSC).

The JSC recommended to the Parliament that the appropriate expertise on the issues belonged to the SRC. A matter of this nature, whether fair or unfair, Rambharat said, should not be the focus of a motion.

Disagreeing with the motion, he said, medical benefits and pensions should be separated from other forms of compensation such as salaries which the SRC deals with.

In addition, he noted that Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley made it clear that this was not the appropriate time in looking at compensation for MPs given the state of the economy.

He said that the Prime Minister is on record as having asked Government MPs and senators to contribute a five percent from their compensation to a social cause of their choice.

He said that they have been doing so and for that reason he will also not support the motion. He disagreed that senators not being allowed to contribute to the pension fund was discriminatory.

Local laws, he said, were replete with examples that allowed some forms of discrimination where jobs were concerned.