分类： society

In a landmark ruling addressing police misconduct, High Court Justice Westmin James has ordered the Trinidad and Tobago government to pay $154,000 in compensation to Darryl Nanton, an emergency medical technician and businessman who suffered unlawful arrest, detention, and prosecution in 2018.

The court found that Nanton, then a 56-year-old Petrotrin employee and owner of Heartfelt Care Services, endured what Justice James described as “oppressive, arbitrary, unreasonable and unconstitutional” treatment during an encounter with Marabella police on April 24, 2018.

The incident began when Nanton visited a KFC establishment on Old Southern Main Road to meet an employee. As he attempted to maneuver his vehicle from a parking space obstructed by two motorcycles, a marked police vehicle intervened. Officers immediately confronted Nanton about his parking position, demanding his driver’s permit and insurance documentation while subjecting him to verbal abuse despite his Petrotrin uniform being visibly displayed.

When Nanton objected to the inappropriate language, a corporal forcibly removed him from his vehicle, shoved him against the car door, and conducted an invasive search. Officers proceeded to search Nanton’s vehicle despite his notification that it contained $8,000 in cash. When Nanton attempted to document the search using his mobile phone, an officer confiscated and deliberately destroyed the device.

Police arranged for vehicle impoundment despite Nanton’s appeals to leave his car at the restaurant premises. He was handcuffed without caution or explanation regarding his arrest and transported to Marabella Police Station. There, he was confined in squalid conditions described as vermin-infested with non-functional toilet facilities, forcing him to sleep on the floor and endure profound humiliation.

Nanton remained detained for approximately 24.5 hours until securing his own bail release. He subsequently faced six court appearances over fabricated charges including disorderly conduct, wilful obstruction, and use of insulting language—all dismissed in July 2019 due to complete lack of prosecution evidence.

Justice James particularly noted the vindictive nature of officers’ conduct, referencing testimony where one officer stated: “I don’t care if I win or I lose. Is how long you suffer in court. The government does pay me to go to court; I hope Petrotrin does pay you to go to court.”

The compensation breakdown includes $50,000 for false imprisonment (incorporating aggravated damages), $50,000 for malicious prosecution (including aggravated damages), $40,000 in exemplary damages for authority abuse, and $14,000 covering legal fees, vehicle recovery costs, and partial phone replacement. The State admitted liability in December 2024, with the assessment ruling delivered on December 4.

Attorney Darryl Heeralal represented Nanton, while State attorneys Evana Welch and Sara Muslim appeared for the defense. The court granted a 28-day stay of execution alongside interest and prescribed costs.

In a powerful public appeal, citizen Steve Alvarez has issued a compelling call to action for Trinidad and Tobago residents, drawing striking parallels between familial relationships and civic responsibility. Alvarez contends that while many citizens profess deep love for their nation, their actions frequently mirror those of dependent children who continuously extract resources from parents without reciprocating effort or value.

The timing of this message coincides with the beginning of the Christmas season, presenting what Alvarez describes as an ideal opportunity for transformative community engagement. His practical recommendations include organizing volunteer initiatives to maintain public spaces, eliminating unauthorized garbage dumping, and providing assistance to vulnerable community members including the elderly and impoverished.

However, Alvarez emphasizes that civic duty extends beyond aesthetic improvements to include active participation in governance processes. He encourages citizens to voice concerns about punitive legislation and contribute constructive suggestions regarding the government’s economic strategies for national survival and growth.

The proposal outlines specific community-led interventions: residents collaboratively repairing potholes with temporary concrete solutions, promptly addressing water pipe leaks through coordinated reporting and basic repairs, and collectively purchasing sports equipment for youth development programs.

Transcending political affiliations, Alvarez frames nation-building as a continuous process requiring daily commitment rather than merely electoral participation. He advocates for grassroots problem-solving as ultimately more impactful and rewarding than passive reliance on governmental intervention.

The message concludes with a unifying vision: incremental national restoration through individual community transformations, positioning collective action as the foundation for Trinidad and Tobago’s revitalization.

In a powerful address that blended personal experience with national urgency, Trinidad and Tobago Blind Welfare Association president Deonarine Ragoo issued an impassioned call for immediate action on children’s vision care. Speaking at the Rapidfire Kidz Foundation’s Eyes Right Project ceremony on November 30, the visually impaired leader addressed an auditorium of students, parents, and officials at Naparima College.

The event marked a significant milestone as 51 students from San Fernando Boys’ and Girls’ Government Primary Schools received prescription glasses through a collaborative initiative between the foundation and Republic Bank Ltd. This partnership represents a concerted effort to ensure that visual impairments don’t hinder educational opportunities or dim future prospects.

Ragoo, who possesses firsthand understanding of vision loss having been born with only ten percent vision before losing even that fifteen years ago, framed the initiative as more than charity. ‘This function must be looked at in the context of bringing freedom, social justice and empowerment to our nation’s children,’ he declared, elevating the discussion from mere healthcare to fundamental rights.

The statistics presented were sobering: an estimated 15,000-20,000 people in Trinidad and Tobago live with visual impairment, often due to delayed treatment caused by poverty or neglect. Ragoo emphasized that such delays frequently lead to reduced vision or permanent blindness—outcomes his organization has fought against for over a century.

Beyond immediate optical care, the president highlighted technological barriers facing visually impaired students, specifically the critical need for Braille displays costing approximately $25,000 each. These devices enable access to digital educational content, representing what Ragoo termed ‘true empowerment’ that leads to ‘true freedom.’

The foundation demonstrated its expanded commitment to youth development by also supporting athletic pursuits. A $30,000 donation from fundraising proceeds was presented to former West Indies bowler Samuel Badree for constructing cricket nets at the SB Cricket Academy’s facility in Tarouba, scheduled to open in early 2026.

Republic Bank Ltd reinforced its partnership with a $90,000 pledge for the 2025-2026 period, ensuring the Eyes Right Project’s continued expansion. Since its 2012 launch, the initiative has distributed 1,401 pairs of glasses, addressing vision problems that might otherwise go untreated.

Practical guidance accompanied the donations, as See View Optical general manager Premnath Sookdeo educated young recipients on proper eyewear maintenance, warning against dry wiping lenses to prevent scratches from accumulated particles.

Foundation president Kevin Ratiram encouraged balanced lifestyles, advising students to complement their improved visual capabilities with outdoor activities and family time rather than excessive screen use.

As students departed with clearer vision and broader opportunities, Ragoo’s closing wish encapsulated the event’s spirit: ‘I wish you a Merry Christmas, a prosperous 2026, and many decades of good sight.’

Trinidad and Tobago is poised to implement comprehensive fireworks regulations through new legislation currently under parliamentary consideration. The Fireworks Regulation Bill, which entered debate on December 9, establishes a permit system for pyrotechnic use while designating violations as ticketable offenses.

The proposed legislation creates specific exceptions for traditional celebrations, allowing fireworks without permits on public holidays between 8-9 PM and on December 31 (Old Year’s Night) from 11:30 PM to 12:30 AM. However, all other fireworks usage will require explicit authorization from the Commissioner of Police.

Significant safety buffers are mandated under the bill, prohibiting fireworks within a half-mile radius of sensitive locations including animal shelters, zoos, farms, forest reserves, national parks, hospitals, and airports.

The advocacy group Citizens Against Noise Pollution of Trinidad and Tobago (CANPTT) has enthusiastically endorsed the legislation, characterizing it as a groundbreaking approach to addressing fireworks as a public health concern. The organization noted this represents Trinidad and Tobago’s first formal recognition of pyrotechnics as a matter of “national responsibility.”

While celebrating the progress, CANPTT identified three critical areas requiring strengthening: explicit legal protection for residential areas, publicly accessible enforcement mechanisms operating before law activation, and immediate penalties substantial enough to deter violations. The group emphasized that true protection must extend beyond legislative text to positively impact citizens’ daily living experiences and safeguard society’s most vulnerable members.

In a heartwarming display of corporate compassion, Kaleidoscope Paints Limited transformed its San Juan compound into a festive wonderland on Sunday, hosting approximately 300 children from 14 orphanages across Trinidad for an unforgettable Christmas celebration themed ‘Colour Joy into Children’s Lives 2025′.

The event, running from 1 pm to 5 pm, created a magical atmosphere where children encountered Santa Claus, animated clowns, traditional moko jumbies, and captivating puppet shows. The compound buzzed with excitement as youngsters enjoyed face painting, bounced energetically on inflatable castles, and listened to traditional parang music. Particularly memorable were the horseback rides provided by the TTPS Mounted Branch and the specially curated petting zoo that introduced children to the beauty of wildlife.

Notable attendees included Rural Development and Local Government Minister Khadijah Ameen, Justice Minister Devesh Maharaj, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Trade Dr. Colin Neil Gosine, NCC chairman Peter Khanhai, and Feroze Khan. All expressed profound appreciation for being part of the meaningful event, with Minister Ameen actively participating in activities with the children.

CEO Dale Parsons, who also serves as President of the TT Manufacturers’ Association, emphasized the deeper significance of the celebration: ‘This is not merely about gifts or entertainment—it’s about reinforcing that every child is cherished, valued, and loved during Christmas and always. The joy shared today becomes hope carried into tomorrow.’

The initiative, supported by Kaleidoscope Paints’ dedicated staff and business community partners, continued a cherished tradition established by the company’s late founder Stephen S. Parson in the 1970s and 1980s. Now upheld by second and third generations, this legacy of community compassion ensures that vibrant colors of joy continue to brighten the lives of society’s most vulnerable children.

In a dramatic courtroom development, two men accused of a 2019 double homicide in Tobago were unconditionally discharged by the High Court after prosecutors unexpectedly declined to present any evidence against them. Nicholas Davis and Antonio McEachnie, who had faced murder charges for nearly three years, walked free following the procedural collapse of the State’s case during a sufficiency hearing on December 8.

The case concerned the tragic deaths of John Mills, 69, and Eulyn John, 61, a Tobago couple whose bodies were discovered at their Buccoo residence on May 2, 2019. After three years of investigation, authorities arrested Davis and McEachnie in 2022, setting in motion a legal process that would encounter multiple procedural hurdles.

Prosecutors had previously obtained several extensions to compile their evidence, eventually submitting over 50 witness statements. In a unusual maneuver, they also sought permission to call a witness for oral testimony after she refused to swear to her written statement.

During the hearing before Master Margaret Sookraj-Goswami, defense attorneys raised vigorous objections to documents served after court-ordered deadlines, arguing that the late filing—mere days before the crucial hearing—prevented proper review of the materials. The defense team, comprising prominent legal counsel including Senior Counsel Israel Khan, opposed any further extensions given the State’s history of delays.

Master Sookraj-Goswami ruled that the hearing would proceed with most documents admitted, though two statements filed out of time were excluded. In a stunning turn, when invited to present evidence, prosecutors Kernester Mohammed and Mark Peters declined to tender any of their compiled statements. With no evidence before the court to substantiate the murder charges, the judicial officer had no alternative but to discharge both defendants.

The outcome highlights systemic challenges in criminal prosecutions and raises questions about evidence gathering procedures in serious felony cases.

In a powerful address during the 152nd anniversary service at Mizpah Presbyterian Church in Claxton Bay on December 7, High Court Justice Frank Seepersad delivered a compelling sermon on the critical need for principled leadership in times of global uncertainty. Speaking before congregants, Justice Seepersad articulated a vision of governance rooted in moral fortitude and strategic wisdom.

The jurist emphasized that while Trinidad and Tobago, as a small island nation, cannot single-handedly influence superpower politics, its leadership must cultivate strategic alliances across political, economic, and military domains while safeguarding national sovereignty. He asserted that truly effective leadership necessitates policies that ensure collective security and prioritize citizen welfare above all else.

Addressing what he described as a worldwide leadership crisis, Justice Seepersad outlined the qualities of exemplary leaders: those who serve with discipline, place communal needs above personal interests, and maintain unwavering integrity. He particularly stressed that genuine leadership begins with spiritual commitment, stating that ‘leaders who walk with integrity and skill can transform lives, communities, and nations.’

Justice Seepersad further elaborated on practical leadership requirements, noting that promising leaders must be judged by their track record of delivering results rather than empty rhetoric. He advocated for leaders willing to challenge established norms and make difficult decisions with both empathy and equity, particularly in combating social maladies including drug trafficking, domestic violence, and criminal exploitation.

The judge also called for national transformation amid concerning levels of divisive discourse and economic challenges. He urged a collective shift in mindset toward godly living, rejection of dependency cultures, and emphasis on service above self-interest. While addressing leadership responsibilities, Justice Seepersad equally emphasized individual accountability, encouraging citizens to take charge of their circumstances through lawful means and due process to catalyze meaningful societal change.