分类： society

In a poignant tribute to late legal luminary Osbourne Charles, attorney Hazel Thompson-Ahye recounts a transformative courtroom experience that shaped her professional journey. The reflection begins with a vivid courtroom scene where a witness resembling “Miss Mavis” – an East Indian woman with complex domestic arrangements – testified against her husband’s murder suspect, claiming to have seen the accused “every minute of the day.

Defense counsel Osbourne Charles dismantled her testimony through deceptively simple questioning about domestic chores, ultimately exposing the impossibility of her claim. The young law student initially reacted with moral outrage at what she perceived as witness intimidation, confronting Charles about his destructive cross-examination technique.

Through years of observing Charles and other legal masters like Desmond Allum and Vernon De Lima, Thompson-Ahye developed deeper understanding of defense counsel’s duty to test witness credibility. This education proved crucial when she later handled a murder case involving teenage defendant and victim. Applying Charles’ techniques, she extracted critical information about the victim’s violent propensity and established the incident occurred near her client’s home, suggesting self-defense given the defendant’s extensive injuries.

The validation came when Police Commissioner Trevor Paul predicted her success moments before the jury returned a not guilty verdict within 15 minutes of deliberation. Now mourning Charles’ passing, Thompson-Ahye expresses gratitude shared by countless lawyers who benefited from his expertise, concluding with a prayer for his peaceful journey to the “heavenly court.”

As the new academic term commenced on January 5, education authorities face mounting criticism for their failure to provide comprehensive assessments regarding the controversial police presence initiative in schools. The program, initially launched last September amid considerable public attention, remains shrouded in uncertainty due to insufficient official reporting.

While a single term may be inadequate for full evaluation, the Ministry of Education under Dr. Michael Dowlath has demonstrated concerning passivity in communicating the program’s effectiveness to stakeholders. The limited available data reveals troubling insights: 29 students across various institutions were arrested during the first term for offenses including weapon and drug possession, assault, and robbery.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin confirmed the program’s expansion, with Tranquillity Government Secondary School joining the list of institutions under police monitoring. This development suggests official satisfaction with current outcomes, though concrete supporting evidence remains scarce.

The initiative’s more measurable aspects—statistical data and frequency of violent incident reports—paint an incomplete picture. More nuanced outcomes, including shifts in student behavior and community dynamics, require extended observation periods and potentially years of expert analysis.

Concerns persist regarding the judicial processing of arrested students, with insufficient transparency about court decisions and remedial measures. Similarly, the performance evaluation of the 95 specially trained officers assigned to the program remains undisclosed.

Education stakeholders await comprehensive reporting by term’s end to determine whether this security measure represents meaningful progress or merely symbolic intervention.

In a triumphant return to competitive form, five-time national stickfighting champion O’Neil Odle emerged victorious at the inaugural National Carnival Commission’s Welcome to the Gayelle tournament. The historic event, held on January 3rd at the Moruga Multi-Purpose Youth and Sport Facility, marked a significant revival of traditional martial arts within Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape.

The competition witnessed fierce athletic displays as more than a dozen nationally-recruited contenders vied for the prestigious top prize of $10,000. Selwyn John secured second position while Terrance Marcano claimed third place in the intensely contested matches that characterized the evening’s proceedings.

According to the Ministry of Culture and Community Development, the event exceeded organizational expectations with robust community engagement. Over 200 patrons attended the free-admission spectacle, which featured diverse entertainment segments alongside the primary competitive bouts. The ministry emphasized that the tournament series aims to strengthen and preserve the national stickfighting circuit through accessible community-based events.

Minister Michelle Benjamin personally addressed attendees, highlighting the government’s commitment to cultural preservation. The Welcome to the Gayelle initiative represents a single-round competition format scheduled across multiple communities, combining athletic competition with cultural performances.

Future installments are confirmed for January 10th at Debe Junction and January 17th at Constantine Park in Tunapuna. All events will commence at 7 PM local time with live streaming available through the NCC’s official YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram platforms, ensuring global accessibility to these cultural showcases.

Prominent television personality Ian Alleyne has initiated legal action against San Fernando Mayor Robert Parris following allegedly defamatory statements made on social media platforms. Through his legal representatives Saira Lakhan and Devi Ramnarine, Alleyne has issued a pre-action protocol letter demanding resolution by January 9 deadline.

The dispute originates from a Facebook post published by Mayor Parris on December 11, 2025, which specifically referenced Alleyne during his legitimate journalistic coverage of a fire incident at Radica Trading Building on Cipero Street. The controversial post allegedly characterized the Crime Watch host as an ‘attention seeker’ and incorporated language described as derogatory slang within local vernacular.

Legal counsel emphasizes that Parris, serving as both sitting mayor and ‘first citizen’ of San Fernando, possesses amplified influence that compounds the severity of such public statements. The attorneys contend that the mayor’s substantial social media presence across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn significantly expanded the dissemination of the allegedly defamatory content.

Although the original post was subsequently removed, attorneys confirm that screenshots were captured and redistributed by prominent social media accounts, generating thousands of interactions and extending the content’s reach to international audiences. This widespread circulation allegedly resulted in substantial professional and personal consequences for Alleyne.

The legal filing details multiple damages including reputational harm, emotional distress, loss of business opportunities during critical Christmas programming period, and negative impact on Alleyne’s family members, particularly his teenage son. Additionally, the television host reportedly declined professional engagements and media appearances due to the resulting controversy.

The pre-action letter demands immediate cessation of defamatory statements, public apology published on the original Facebook platform, and compensation for demonstrated losses. Should Mayor Parris fail to comply by the 4 pm January 9 deadline, attorneys confirm they will file formal defamation proceedings in the High Court seeking damages and injunctive relief.

A dramatic surge in vehicle inspections has swept across Trinidad following the implementation of steeper penalties for driving without valid certification. Effective January 1st, fines for operating vehicles without proper inspection stickers skyrocketed from $1,000 to $2,000, triggering unprecedented demand at inspection stations nationwide.

The overwhelming response began immediately after the increased penalties were publicized on Christmas Day. Damian Chow of Chow’s Service Bay in Sangre Grande reported inspection facilities being inundated with vehicles, particularly public service vehicles like maxis and taxis that are now eligible for certification at private stations. “This is happening across the board,” Chow confirmed, noting that many garages have implemented appointment systems and extended to seven-day operations to manage the influx.

At Suncoast Enterprises Ltd in Penal, manager Zobida Gilbert reported processing 30-35 vehicles daily, though the transition to a new digital system has revealed documentation discrepancies. Many motorists now face additional trips to the Licensing Office in Caroni to rectify typographical errors before certificates can be issued.

The situation has created secondary challenges, with inspection stations making frequent trips to licensing offices for sticker replenishment, often encountering long queues alongside citizens addressing documentation issues. Gilbert suggested implementing dedicated lines for vehicle testing stations to improve efficiency.

The intensified enforcement has had severe consequences for some motorists. Ravi Baboolal, a 39-year-old coconut vendor from Friendship Village, received six tickets totaling $19,000 during a traffic stop on January 4th. The citations included penalties for defective tires, unsecured load, and driving without valid insurance—a charge Baboolal vehemently disputes, presenting documentation showing coverage valid until January 29, 2026.

Baboolal’s case highlights the disproportionate impact on working citizens, as the substantial fines exceed his annual earnings. “I cannot afford to pay $19,000,” he stated, explaining that such penalties would force him to sell his vehicle—essential to his livelihood—to settle the debt by the February 3rd deadline.

The Owner Dealers Association has appealed to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation for a one-to-three-month delay in implementing the new fees and penalties. Association president Reval Chattergoon cited the “increased mental stress and financial strain on citizens” resulting from the abrupt changes announced without sufficient warning or transition period.

While acknowledging the need for road safety improvements, Chattergoon proposed alternative revenue generation methods, including vanity license plates and expanded vehicle registration programs, arguing these would provide more humane approaches to achieving the government’s objectives.