AN AMERICAN national was up to late evening battling for his life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of St Clair Medical Centre after he was set upon early yesterday morning by about eight men who beat him with a blunt instrument about the head and body, police sources said.
John Knights, said by the police to be about 42, of Louisiana, USA, is said to be in a critical condition. Police said Knights, an engineer with an American company identified as MCI, went to Rafters Restaurant and Lounge, corner Warner and Woodford Streets, Woodbrook, Friday night. Knights, who resides in Mayaro, was liming with his friend, Andre DeGannes, of Petit Valley. Police said DeGannes parked his grey Lancer Mirage vehicle on Woodford Street during the time they were in the restaurant. Sometime after, police said DeGannes left for home, leaving Knights at the restaurant. On reaching his home, police said DeGannes discovered a scratch on the bonnet of his vehicle. Police said about 2am yesterday DeGannes returned to the restaurant to find out who scratched his bonnet. He told Knights about the scratch and then left in a hurry, stopping about 300 metres from the Rafters restaurant. Police said Knights then walked to where DeGannes had stopped. The two men were then set upon by eight men.
DeGannes, who was also in the scuffle, escaped without any injuries, but Knights fell to the ground, and went into a state of unconsciousness. Police said DeGannes rushed the American to the St Clair Medical Centre, after which a report was made to the police. A party of officers under Sgt Valentine Millette and including acting Sgt Stephen Grant, and PC Rennie Grant visited the scene and conducted investigations. Up to late yesterday, police said no eyewitness had come forward to assist them with their investigations. The manager of Rafters could not be reached for comment up to late evening. However, a man who claimed to be a supervisor told Sunday Newsday that they could not say what transpired outside, however, he confirmed the incident, and said that no one who was at the Rafters was responsible for the beating of the American national. The man blamed it on “outsiders”.
The value of goods imported into TT in January, 2003 amounted to $2,096 million, while total exports (domestic and foreign) were worth $3,382 million according to a study conducted by the Central Statistical Office of the Ministry of Planning and Development. A favourable balance of $1,286 million in merchandise trade was also recorded during this period, with a trade surplus of $1,286 million.
The value of imports is said to have increased by $435 million or 26.3 percent from $1,660 million in 2002 to $2,096 million in 2003. This was mainly due to an increase in imports of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials by $472 million. Other major imports for January 2003 were machinery and transport equipment which stood at $672 million and manufactured goods which registered $294 million. The food import bill during January 2003 accounted for 6.4 percent of total imports compared with 8.2 percent in January 2002. Food imports were valued at $134 million and comprised dairy products and bird eggs, vegetables and fruits as well as cereal and cereal preparations. Total exports for January 2003 were valued at $3,382 million of which domestic imports were worth $3,325 million. The value of domestic exports increased from $1,448 million in 2002 to $3,325 million in 2002, a surplus of $1,876 million or 129.6 percent. This was the result of a significant increase of $2,039 million in the exports of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials. Increases were reported in mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials by $2,039 million and manufactured goods by $31 million. However, there was a decrease in chemicals by $180 million. Domestic exports of Food and Beverages were valued at $92 million.
Where imports from Caricom sources during this period were concerned, the value increased by $3 million to stand at $39 million, while domestic exports increased by $477 million to the present figure of $806 million, when compared with the corresponding month in 2002. Domestic exports to Caricom countries during January 2003 accounted for 24.2 percent of total domestic exports, whereas imports comprised 1.8 percent of all imports. The main Caricom markets for export goods during this period were Jamaica which accounted for $327 million or 40.6 percent of total domestic imports to Caricom states, Barbados and Guyana which accounted for $148 million or 18.4 percent and $62 million or 7.7 percent respectively. Barbados was one of the chief Caricom suppliers, accounting for $15 million or 38.9 percent of imports from Caricom countries. Jamaica followed with 10 million or 25.2 percent and Guyana with $6 million or 16.6 percent. During January 2003, TT principal extra-regional import sources were the US which accounted for $510 million or 24.3 percent of total imports. Brazil and Venezuela recorded $281 million or 13.4 percent and $216 million of 10.3 percent respectively. The US was also TT’s principal extra-regional export market registering $1,337 million or 40.2 percent of total domestic exports. Honduras also figured prominently accounting for $132 million or 4.0 percent of exports.
A 28-year-old Westmoorings man died instantly after he fell asleep behind the wheel of his car and crashed head-on into a dump truck, at Ste Madeleine, yesterday morning.
The deceased has been identified as Karl Adrian Thomas, of Cross Court Bay, Windsurf Road East, Westmoorings Police reports stated around, 5.15 am, Thomas was driving east along the Tarouba Link Road, in his blue Mitsubishi Lancer station wagon. Police believe that Thomas fell asleep and on reaching the vicinity of Auto House his car swerved into the path of an on-coming dump truck. Both vehicles collided, head on. The truck driver, Ramtool Boot, escaped unhurt. Thomas, however, who died on the spot was pinned behind the wheel. Firefighters of the San Fernando Fire Service had to use the “Jaws of Life” to cut the mangled wreck and retrieve Thomas’ limp body. Thomas is believed to have suffered head injuries. EHS medical technicians arrived on the scene but there was nothing they could have done to save his life. Also visiting the scene was a party of officers from the Ste Madeleine Police Station including Sgt Parasram, WPC Jalim and PC Rosanne. Sgt Parasram is continuing investigations. A post mortem will be performed tomorrow.
OFFICERS of the St Joseph Criminal Investigations Department (CID) are on the hunt for five people, among them a woman with a baby, who are believed to be behind a $1.5 million robbery at Rajiv’s Jewellers, Valpark Shopping Plaza.
Police said the woman with the child, along with three armed men who actually carried out the robbery, made their escape in a grey Lancer vehicle. The woman was said to be standing guard while the three men carried out the robbery at the jewel store, owned by Sushil Patel. According to police reports, around 2.30 pm yesterday, three men entered the jewel store, pretending to be customers, looking at various pieces in their respective showcases. Police said one of the men left the store and returned with a firearm, which was then pointed at about six employees in the store. The three bandits then ordered the workers into a corner and emptied several showcases containing chains, diamonds, ID bands, bracelets, etc. They then escaped into the waiting vehicle and up to late yesterday had not been arrested. A report was made and a party of officers from the St Joseph CID under PC Ronald Williams and including PC Dexter Bernard visited the scene and conducted investigations. Fingerprint experts were also called in.
One of the female workers told Sunday Newsday yesterday that the stolen jewelry is worth approximately $1.5 million. However, she pointed out that an inventory has not yet been done. It is expected to be done by tomorrow for the police, the worker told Sunday Newsday. The worker added that the woman holding the baby appeared to be on the lookout for the other three bandits. She said after the robbery, two workers ran after the bandits, but they escaped in the vehicle. Expressing frustration, the woman said that they are fed-up at the crime situation in the country and appealed to National Security Minister, Howard Chin Lee, to do something. She said it is the fourth time they have been robbed in three years, and stated categorically that they intend to “pack up and leave the country.”
PC Williams is continuing investigations.
Three businesswomen who each head a chamber of commerce came together to host a recent seminar on the Kidnapping Bill 2003 and to each plead for a united front to tackle violent crime. The event occurred on Thursday at Home Construction Lim-ited Organisational Centre, Tacarigua.
President of the Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Kiran Maharaj, said: “It is outrageous that we are afraid in our own homes. Our children can’t go outside without us keeping five-minute tabs on them or they don’t go out at all. When will the time end? There must be unity in diversity in tackling these issues.” She called on the different political heads to put aside their differences to tackle crime. Maharaj said that if one had the “desire” this would lead to “will” which would lead to “deed,” which would determine our “destiny.”
President of the Sangre Grande Chamber of Commerce, Indra Sina-nan Ojar-Maharaj, said: “Women, who are the most affected by crime, are becoming more and more emotional, when our sons and daughters are kidnapped, murdered and raped…I’m calling on the Government and Op-position to put their agendas behind them.” “While I agree about the need for constitutional reform, the issue of kidnapping is just as important. As a businesswoman I can tell you that foreign investors are concerned (about crime). Despite the Wallerfield Project, there will be a brain drain. Families are migrating, closing their businesses. In 1990 Prime Minister Robinson said ‘Attack with full force.’ I’m calling on the Government and Oppos-ition to come together. Despite the pain of having to compromise our political differences, let’s come together and attack this scourge with full force, sooner rather than later.”
The seminar was earlier addressed by Attorney General Glenda Morean and Pointe-a-Pierre MP Gillian Lucky debating the Kidnapping Bill. Gail Merhair, President of the San Juan Business Association, said that those present as business people were the main target of kidnappings and now sought to understand the Kidnapping Bill so as to make informed decisions. In the question and answer session, Down-town Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) public relations officer, William Latch-man, revealed that he had been approached by insurance companies of-fering him kidnapping insurance. Another man opined that deportees from North America were largely to blame for the recent kidnappings. A businessman of Tunapuna felt that the legislation would not actually improve the detection rate for kidnappings.
The National Carnival Commission (NCC) issued tickets to the VIP section of the Queen’s Park Savannah for Carnival 2003 at a cost totaling $111,886.
This was revealed by Minister of Culture Pennelope Beckles in a reply to a parliamentary question by Fyzabad MP Chandresh Sharma on Friday in the House of Representatives. Recipients were listed as some 75 persons and their guests, chiefly public officials headed by former President Arthur NR Robinson and Prime Minister Patrick Manning. Apart from Government Ministers and other public officials, VIP tickets were given to Linus Rogers, Dr Brian Harry, S Finbar Ryan, Ewart Williams, Dr Aleem Mohammed, Hasley Crawford, D Punwasee, Rt Rev Dean Knolly Clarke, Ali Khan, ambassador Jerry Narace, and Kenneth Gordon.
Beckles’ reply stated that some 367 seats in the Grand Stand had been designated VIP seats under the control of the NCC, another 164 seats had been allocated to the three Carnival interest groups — the NCC, National Carnival Bandleaders Association (NCBA) and Pan Trinbago — for the entertainment of their sponsors and guests, some 32 tickets had been issued to the Leader of the Opposition for distribution to MPs for Dimanche Gras and the Parade of Bands, and tickets were provided to former First Lady Zalahayar Hassanali and her guests.
A morning swim with two friends turned fatal for a 15-year-old boy who is believed to have drowned in turbulent waters off Mayaro beach, on Friday. Up to late yesterday the body of the youth, identified as Ryan Bholai, of Bristol Village, Mayaro, had not yet been found.
This is the second drowning to have occurred in Mayaro within two days. On Wednesday, Brian ‘Gorilla’ Williams, a homeless man, drowned while trying to escape police at Ocean Sands Beach. His body washed ashore on Thursday night. In the latest drowning, Bholai’s friends told police around 11 am they were bathing a short distance away from the shore, near Stone Bright Village, when Bholai dived into the water. When he did not resurface, his friends began diving into the water looking for him but were unsuccessful. The teenagers panicked and ran to the village where they informed the villagers. Several fishermen’s frantic attempts to find the youth also proved futile. The Mayaro police and Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard were informed about the drowning. Mayaro police are continuing investigations.
OFFICERS from the St Joseph Criminal Investigations Department (CID), have arrested a Chaguanas man, allegedly with equipment belonging to the Australian cricket team, police sources told Sunday Newsday yesterday.
The 43-year-old man was held in his Toyota car on the Old Southern Main Road, Chaguanas, around 10 pm Friday. The investigations are being carried out by acting Insp Michael Modeste, who was appointed lead investigator by Commissioner of Police, Hilton Guy, following the disappearance of the items on May 26. Police sources described the man as an ardent cricket fan, and said he was held with “quite a few pieces” of the missing cricket items. He reportedly told the police that the items belonged to him. Up to late evening police were still interrogating the man, who is expected to be charged with either unlawful possession of stolen items or larceny of the items. He is to appear in a Chaguanas court tomorrow.
More than 35 pieces of equipment including bats, shirts, cricket shoes, designer sunglasses and other training equipment, belonging to ten members of the Australian squad were discovered missing after the team boarded a LIAT flight for Grenada, where they were going to play two One-Day Internationals on May 30 and June 2. Police said the equipment disappeared somewhere between the Queen’s Park Oval and Hilton Trinidad. President of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board of Control (TTCBC) Alloy Lequay told the media that the LIAT flight the Australians were on could not accommodate all the equipment, and as a consequence, some had to be left behind. Lequay said he was informed of the incident by Australian manager Steve Bernard. The TTCBC president also told the media that the May 26 loss was not the first the touring team suffered in this country. He said Bernard also reported missing items after his team made their way to Barbados following the April 19-23 Second Test match at the Queen’s Park Oval. Lequay also told the media that the matter is of serious concern, especially given this country expressed desire to play a major role in the hosting of the 2007 World Cup.
In an improvised eulogy of her son, slain teenager George Langford Jr, Haslan Langford sent a message to parents. She said: “Do not let people talk bad about yuh children. That is a curse and anytime anybody say a curse, deal with it right away.” Haslan said that such talk occurred in her son’s case, since “many people misinterpreted him”.
Fourteen-year-old George Jr was laid to rest yesterday, following a funeral service at the United Apostolic Pentecostal Church, Petit Bourg, San Juan. He was stabbed to death last week by a woman alleged to be a prostitute. In describing the endearing qualities of her son, clad in a white suit and with a cricket bat, ball and gloves in his casket, she said he was “jovial, always jovial, very loving and kind”. Since age seven, she said he did the shopping for her at the supermarket. “All he needed was a list. He always did it.” Haslan recalled the day her son died. She said he had a nine o’clock appointment and didn’t want to go. “He came and rest his head on my chest…he hug meh up and ah say yuh have to go, it getting late.” Haslan said. “I have a thing with my children when they out late they have to call home by 7 o’clock. I sat in the gallery waiting when I didn’t hear from him. Then two policemen came at my home and told me to meet them at the police station. They never tell me he dead.”
Amidst friends and relatives who came out to pay their respects were George Jr’s classmates, dressed in the school’s (Tranquillity Government Secondary) uniform. They remembered him as always “making a joke” and always running off during lunch time to play cricket. In the foyer of the church, the students set up a notice board, decorated with pictures of George Jr and his friends surrounded by handwritten poems and farewell notes. Just as the school’s cricket coach, known as “Pops” rose to say a few words, the students draped the school’s flag, yellow in colour, over the casket. Pops said the flag was the school’s highest honour and George Jr deserved such honour. He said in the two years he had known George Jr, he was always enthused about cricket. “No young cricketer that I have ever come across had rose to certain heights in a short space of time to cover all aspects of the game,” Pops said.
George Jr was a member of four cricketing clubs, namely El Socorro, Barataria, Queen’s Park Oval and his school’s cricket team. He represented the school in Trinidad and Barbados at the recently held BET competition. Pops said George Jr never tried to exalt over his achievement to enhance his development. “Seldom he would accept congratulations. What humility!” said Pops. He said that George Jr loved cricket so much that he obtained a job as waterboy for cricket matches at the Queen’s Park Oval and was in charge of the umpire’s room when Australia toured the West Indies.
OFFICERS of the Woodbrook Police Station yesterday arrested a 60-year-old businesswoman and her 21-year-old daughter after they were allegedly held with an illegal shotgun and 25 rounds of ammunition.
The woman and her daughter are to be charged with illegal possession of the shotgun and ammunition and are due to appear before a Port-of-Spain Magistrate tomorrow. Police said they had the Tragarete Road, Port-of-Spain, house under surveillance for sometime and officers, under Sgt Valentine Millette, acting Sgt Stephen Grant and PC Sharpe, decided to move in on the house around 2pm yesterday. Lawmen said the officers obtained a search warrant, which they subsequently executed. The items were reportedly found and the two women held. A third person fled the scene and a warrant has since been obtained for his arrest. Police said the two women told them that the illegal fiream and ammunition belonged to the person who escaped. Close to where the arrests of the women took place, police said the same officers held a man with a quantity of marijuana.
