分类： society

In a landmark ruling that underscores the Caribbean nation’s firm stance against proliferating gun crime, a Barbados High Court judge has sentenced convicted killer Shawayne Williams to 38 years and 138 days behind bars, emphasizing that judicial institutions have a non-negotiable role to play in curbing violent armed offenses and safeguarding communities.

Justice Laurie-Anne Smith-Bovell handed down the sentence this week, noting that courts must align their rulings with the public’s urgent demand to tackle the national crisis of gun violence. Williams, a resident of White Hall, St Michael, was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict for the fatal shooting of Tavon Alleyne – cousin of global pop icon and Barbados’ National Hero Rihanna. The attack took place near Alleyne’s home in Eden Lodge, St Michael, on Boxing Day 2017.

During the sentencing remarks, Justice Smith-Bovell referenced the landmark Director of Public Prosecutions Reference No. 1 of 2003 to anchor her decision, stating: “This court has a duty to protect the public as far as it can from the wanton violence perpetrated by some of our young people. Public concern about illegal firearms and violence and the need for general deterrence must be reflected in the sentences passed by the courts. The public are entitled to expect the courts to play their part in fighting the proliferation of firearms and violence. These courts serve the public interest.”

Details presented during the trial laid out the sequence of the fatal attack: at approximately 7 p.m. on the day of the killing, Alleyne arrived via taxi and pulled over on the main road. Moments after he stepped out of the vehicle, multiple gunshots rang out, leaving Alleyne dead on the ground from multiple gunshot wounds. One eyewitness who observed a male suspect fleeing the scene positively identified the runner as Williams. A second witness corroborated the account, confirming Williams had been in the neighborhood earlier that evening, disappeared just before the shooting, and returned to the area shortly after the gunfire stopped.

Outlining the multiple aggravating factors that justified a harsh sentence, Justice Smith-Bovell outlined several key details that elevated the severity of the crime. First, the killing included clear elements of premeditation and coordination: Williams brought an illegal firearm to the scene, and evidence suggested he received advance communication to be in the area exactly when Alleyne arrived, indicating an organized ambush. Second, Alleyne was unarmed when he was attacked, leaving him no chance to defend himself. Third, the shooting was confirmed to be an act of retaliation for a previous non-fatal shooting of Williams by a third party. Additional aggravating factors included the use of an illegal firearm that was never recovered by law enforcement, and the fact that the attack unfolded in a public residential area, putting innocent bystanders – including residents of the nearby home and the taxi driver, who later found bullet holes in his vehicle – at grave risk of injury or death.

To reach the final sentence, Justice Smith-Bovell set an initial starting term of 39 years, adding two extra years to account for Williams’ damaging presentence report, documented history of prior convictions for serious bodily harm and assault causing actual bodily harm, ongoing illegal drug use, and the assessed high risk he would reoffend if released. The judge then deducted 774 days of pre-sentencing remand time Williams had already served, plus an additional six-month credit for delays in processing the case, resulting in the final term of 38 years and 138 days to be served at Barbados’ Dodds Prison.

In addition to the custodial sentence, Justice Smith-Bovell ordered Williams to participate in a structured suite of rehabilitative programs during his incarceration. Based on psychological and psychiatric assessments, Williams is required to enroll in basic academic and vocational skills training to prepare him for potential reintegration into society after his sentence is complete, as well as any psychotherapeutic programs that mental health professionals or prison authorities deem necessary for his rehabilitation.

The prosecution was led by Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Alliston Seale SC and State Counsel Paul Prescod, while Williams was represented in court by Senior Counsel Angella Mitchell-Gittens.

Hundreds of attendees, including staff from Barbados’ Social Empowerment Agency and a lively cohort of local children, gathered in the Warrens district last week, decked out in coordinated blue attire, for the fifth iteration of the national Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Walk. The event, which kicked off from the parking lot of the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs’ Warrens office complex, drew community members from across the island united behind a shared mission to end child maltreatment and amplify public awareness of this pressing social issue.

In his opening keynote address to the assembled crowd, Minister Adrian Forde, head of the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, made clear that the island’s government maintains an unwavering, unequivocal commitment to protecting Barbados’ youngest generation. Far from being a purely symbolic gathering, Forde emphasized that the walk reflected a deeper national priority: the long-term stability and global competitiveness of Barbados hinges entirely on how well the country safeguards its children today.

“These little children that we see before us, their lives must be protected in a special way and that is why we are here,” Forde told attendees. “It is not only for us to talk the talk and walk the walk as we are doing this morning, but equally to do the do as it relates to ensuring that those in the dawn of their lives are protected and given the opportunity to become firm craftsmen of their fate.”

Forde outlined that beyond public awareness campaigns like the annual walk, the current administration has prioritized tangible, robust policy action to strengthen child protection across the island. A core pillar of this work has been sweeping legislative reform: he highlighted updated child justice and child protection frameworks as foundational to the government’s mission, noting that these new protections align with recently passed legislation designed to safeguard vulnerable elderly residents from abuse. This joined-up approach to protecting at-risk groups across all age cohorts, he explained, embodies the administration’s core governing principle: that every member of Barbadian society deserves to be seen and heard.

The minister issued a clear call to collective action for all Barbadians, urging community members to remain vigilant and proactive in identifying and reporting signs of child abuse, neglect, and abandonment. “We have asked persons that if they see something, they say something. If they hear something that they are suspicious of — abuse, neglect, abandonment — that they equally say something,” he said. “Appreciate the fact that these little ones are under our care and each one of us is duty-bound to look after their lives.”

As participants prepared to set off on the awareness walk, Forde reiterated that the ultimate goal of all government and community efforts is to make space for young Barbadians to pursue their dreams, in a safe and supportive national environment. He stressed that even a single child lost to abuse or neglect represents a failure the island cannot afford, committing the government to continuing progress across legislative and social interventions to protect youth.

“We are going to do everything from a legislative perspective to a social perspective to ensure that these little ones have a tangible space in this country,” Forde said. “That is their dream. We are here to fulfill their dream; we are duty-bound to fulfill our dream. Recognize that our young people, those in the dawn of their lives, are the most important gift to our country.”

Law enforcement authorities in Barbados are turning to the public for critical support in a ongoing investigation, issuing an official appeal to track down a man identified as Miguel “Mikey” Robertson, who is currently wanted for questioning linked to severe criminal activity.

The Barbados Police Service (TBPS) has released key details to help community members identify Robertson. According to the official release, the suspect’s last confirmed residence was #11 Hilton Row, located in the Princess Royal Pine neighborhood of St Michael. Investigators have also shared physical descriptors: Robertson stands roughly five feet six inches tall, has a dark complexion, and maintains a slim build.

As part of standard police procedure, TBPS has extended a formal advisory to Robertson himself: he is permitted to voluntarily surrender at the Criminal Investigations Department headquarters based at the Black Rock Police Station in Black Rock, St Michael, provided he is accompanied by a legal representative.

For members of the public who may have information about Robertson’s current location, authorities have outlined multiple accessible channels to submit tips. Anyone with relevant details can reach out directly to the CID team at Black Rock Police Station via phone at 417-7505 or 417-7500, call the national police emergency line at 211, contact the anonymous crime tip hotline Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or visit any closest local police station to share information in person.

In a key reminder for all residents, TBPS stressed that knowingly sheltering or providing any form of assistance to a wanted individual is classified as a serious criminal offense under Barbados law. Any person found to have aided Robertson after this public appeal will face prosecution, authorities confirmed. This official appeal was issued as a public notice from the Barbados Police Service.