Carib Scope

标签： Barbados

巴巴多斯

  • A Little Rum, A Lot of Imagination: Inside the Barbados Food and Rum Festival’s Cocktail Creations

    A Little Rum, A Lot of Imagination: Inside the Barbados Food and Rum Festival’s Cocktail Creations

    Against the sunlit backdrop of Barbados’ vibrant culinary scene, leading mixologist Jamaal Bowen has built anticipation for this November’s Barbados Food and Rum Festival, where he is spearheading a one-of-a-kind mixology program designed to spark curiosity and celebrate the island’s homegrown produce.

    Bowen, a veteran educator and founder of the TopShelf Bartending Academy, has built his career around nurturing emerging talent and pushing the boundaries of rum-based cocktail craft. For this year’s festival, he designed a creative challenge that pushes participating mixologists outside their familiar comfort zones: a random algorithm-assigned mystery ingredient challenge, where each creator receives one core ingredient to build an original cocktail around for their scheduled event. Organizers and participants alike have no advance knowledge of pairings, turning the challenge into an exercise in spontaneous creativity.

    The list of possible ingredients ranges from widely recognizable staples like moringa, tamarind, grapefruit and rosemary to unexpected selections like linseed, soursop and mauby bark. When two emerging mixology talents, Rohan Broomes and Orwin Findlay, both drew linseed as their core ingredient, their wildly different interpretations highlight how personal creativity can transform a single starting point. Broomes, set to present his work at the *Rise and Rum* breakfast beach party on November 7, has crafted a fruit-forward cocktail layered with warm spice and subtle vanilla notes. Findlay, appearing at the November 8 *Liquid Gold Feast*, is leaning into sophisticated savory flavors accented with soft sweet spice. One ingredient, two distinct visions – giving festival-goers double the reason to explore both events.

    Held starting at 4 a.m. at Copacabana on Bay Street, *Rise and Rum* centers on the charm of early Saturday mornings in Bridgetown, blending classic Bajan breakfast traditions with inventive rum cocktails to welcome the rising sun. The following evening, *Liquid Gold Feast* will open its doors at CARIFESTA House in Waterford, under the theme “These Fields and Hills,” which shines a spotlight on Barbados’ local agricultural producers and the native ingredients they cultivate.

    One of the most anticipated creations of the night is Natasha Jules’ *A Lil Thing*, which pairs Mount Gay Silver Rum with locally produced Kaiso Carambola Liqueur, green mango, cinnamon, Claytons Kola Tonic and lime juice. Bowen breaks down the balanced flavor profile: the bright sweetness of carambola (known locally as five finger fruit) contrasts with the tart tang of unripe mango, while cinnamon adds a subtle warming depth. Bowen describes a delicate, aromatic nose, with the kola tonic and lime combination evoking the familiar flavor of Bajan ackee, and the rum contributing subtle fruit and cane undertones that build to a smooth, creamy finish without overpowering the native ingredients.

    Across both events, a wide range of underused local ingredients are getting the spotlight, from hog plum and pumpkin to bell peppers and jamoon, reimagined as fresh juices, smooth purées, infused syrups and artisanal garnishes. Bowen’s core vision for the festival is to prove that even familiar local produce can yield surprising new flavor combinations when creators are willing to experiment.

    This focus on expanding the use of native ingredients extends far beyond the week of the festival. Bowen has partnered with the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation and local farmer John Jones to build more reliable supply chains for bar-ready processed products, including cold-pressed juices and concentrated purees, that allow bars to access fresh local ingredients year-round, not just during harvest season. For Bowen, expanding access to a wider range of native ingredients creates more room for innovation, education, and memorable guest experiences long after the festival closes.

    Tickets for *Rise and Rum* are priced at BBD $250, while entry to *Liquid Gold Feast* costs BBD $350. Both can be purchased in advance through ticketnation.bb and official festival box offices. For attendees, Bowen extends a simple invitation: come with an open mind and a sense of curiosity. You may arrive searching for your favorite rum, but you’ll leave with a new appreciation for the surprising potential of linseed and a whole host of other Bajan ingredients waiting to be explored.

  • Young man bailed on wounding charge

    Young man bailed on wounding charge

    A criminal wounding case involving a 20-year-old Barbadian man will resume in District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on January 15, 2025 after an initial hearing that concluded with the defendant being released on conditional bail. Dashon Jamar Edward Oxley, a resident of 1st Avenue Holders Land, Brandons, St Michael, entered a formal not guilty plea before acting Magistrate Shakieda Sealy during his first court appearance. Oxley stands accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding complainant Hayln Scantlebury in an incident that took place on September 18 of this year. During the hearing, prosecuting Sergeant Verdon Forde confirmed he would not object to the court granting bail to Oxley, but formally requested that the magistrate attach strict non-contact conditions to the release. Forde noted that Oxley and the complainant Scantlebury have a prior romantic relationship, making a physical and digital no-contact order necessary to protect the complainant. “If he has a home he stays at his, and she stays at hers, and stay away from her including on social media,” the police prosecutor emphasized to the court. Following the prosecution’s request, acting Magistrate Sealy granted bail to Oxley set at a monetary sum of $5,000, which the defendant successfully secured through one approved surety. Oxley is represented in the proceedings by Tyra Trotman, an attorney-at-law who also serves as a Member of Parliament. The magistrate issued a formal, clear warning to Oxley that he must adhere to the no-contact rule and stay completely away from Scantlebury for the duration of the case proceedings. The court also issued a parallel direction to Scantlebury, ordering her to refrain from any communication with Oxley as the case moves forward. No further details about the circumstances of the alleged September wounding were released during the initial hearing, with the case adjourned to allow for further preparation and evidence gathering ahead of the January 2025 continuation.

  • Murder accused case committed to High Court for trial

    Murder accused case committed to High Court for trial

    A 42-year-old Christ Church bartender will face a High Court trial on a murder charge, after a lower court magistrate ruled there is enough evidence to proceed with the case. Romel Andre Williams, a resident of 2nd Avenue in Edey Village, made his first scheduled appearance before District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court this Thursday. During the hearing, acting Magistrate Shakieda Sealy confirmed that after a thorough review of all case documents and evidence collected by investigators, she had concluded that the prosecution’s case meets the legal threshold to move forward to a higher court. Williams stands accused of killing Trevor Bradshaw in an incident that occurred on October 25, 2024. No additional details about the alleged circumstances of Bradshaw’s death or potential motive were released during the Thursday hearing. The case will now be transferred to the High Court, where a full trial with jury consideration will be scheduled at a later date. The outcome of the preliminary hearing marks a key procedural step in the legal processing of one of the region’s recent homicide cases, bringing the accused one step closer to a full judicial review of the charges against him.

  • Cannabis offender handed over to Immigration

    Cannabis offender handed over to Immigration

    Barbados law enforcement has transferred an undocumented Jamaican national to immigration authorities following his guilty plea on a minor cannabis possession charge, in a case that highlights ongoing enforcement of both drug and immigration rules across the Caribbean nation.

    Twenty-eight-year-old Romoy Odaine Rhoomes, a mason residing at Westbury Road, St. Michael, appeared before acting Magistrate Shakieda Sealy at Bridgetown’s District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. During the hearing, Rhoomes formally admitted he was in unlawful possession of two grams of cannabis, an offense that allegedly occurred the previous day along Baxter’s Road in the capital.

    The incident unfolded when uniformed police officers on routine patrol near a local street stall noticed a pungent, distinct odor of marijuana emanating from the area. Turning their attention to the source of the scent, officers spotted Rhoomes standing at the rear of the stall, frantically discarding items from his pockets before breaking into a run toward nearby Reed Street.

    Responding immediately, officers first retrieved the discarded items, which turned out to be two small sealed Ziploc bags, before initiating a foot pursuit of the suspect. Once officers caught up with and detained Rhoomes, they presented the recovered bags to him to confirm ownership, but he immediately denied any connection to or knowledge of the illicit substance. He was taken into police custody following the encounter for formal processing.

    By the time his case reached the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court, however, Rhoomes opted to accept full responsibility for the possession offense. Beyond the drug charge, prosecuting officials shared key immigration records with Magistrate Sealy that revealed critical additional context: Rhoomes had entered Barbados on February 1, 2024, and had never completed the required steps to legalize or regularize his immigration status in the country.

    After the guilty plea was entered, the court handed down a reprimand and discharge for the minor cannabis possession offense, but immediately ordered Rhoomes to be taken into official custody by Barbados Immigration officials for processing related to his undocumented status.

  • Defence attorney challenges charge sheet errors

    Defence attorney challenges charge sheet errors

    A criminal hearing at Barbados’ District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court hit an unexpected delay on Thursday after a series of glaring inconsistencies emerged between prosecution and defence copies of charge documents against a 39-year-old defendant, Andre Ricardo Miller. A resident of 4th Avenue, Parris Gap, Westbury Road, St Michael, Miller appeared before acting Magistrate Shakieda Sealy, with local attorney Wayne Clarke representing his interests. The first discrepancy arose immediately as Magistrate Sealy read out the initial charge of making threatening remarks. Clarke quickly raised an objection, noting that the complainant’s name listed on the court’s official charge sheet did not match the version provided to the defence ahead of the hearing. Prosecutors attempted to dismiss the inconsistency as a simple typographical error, but Clarke rejected that explanation outright. “No, no, no, not a typo, not today,” Clarke insisted, pushing back against the prosecution’s framing. Sergeant Verdon Forde, responding for the prosecution, maintained that the document presented to the court contained the accurate information. Clarke argued that the gap between the two versions was too significant to write off as a minor mistake, questioning how such an error could occur after investigations had been finalized and formal charge sheets served to the accused. “I am presuming that investigations have been completed and he is given proper charge sheets. Why are we in this predicament? That is not a typo. The name that you read, the name that is on the charge sheet [given to the accused], that cannot be a typo,” he stated. Prosecutors requested a short adjournment to resolve the naming issue, which the magistrate granted. But when proceedings resumed, additional errors were uncovered across the four remaining drug offences levelled against Miller. Prosecutors allege Miller committed four cannabis-related offences on September 25, but the charge sheet provided to Miller listed the offence dates as September 25, 2025 and September 25, 2026 — future dates that made the document nonsensical for the defendant. Clarke seized on the errors, arguing the entire filing had been rushed through improperly, asking the court to dismiss the immediate proceedings and allow his client to return home. “How does he know what charge he has to meet?” Clarke questioned. The initial hearing was suspended at 11:55 a.m. to give prosecutors time to correct the documents, and proceedings resumed roughly 50 minutes later at 12:44 p.m., when all corrected charges were formally read before the court. The full, corrected charges outline that Miller allegedly used threatening language against complainant Gabriella Smith on August 26, 2025, reportedly telling Smith: “I gine chop off your head and put you in the hole that I dig for you in the yard” — a statement that prosecutors argue led Smith to fear imminent violence against her person. Miller entered a formal not guilty plea to the threatening speech charge, as well as four separate cannabis offences: possession of cannabis, possession with intent to supply cannabis, trafficking of cannabis, and cultivation of cannabis. Court documents indicate the seized cannabis weighs approximately 187 grammes, with an estimated street value of $935. While Sergeant Forde did not formally oppose granting bail to Miller, he drew the court’s attention to an active outstanding warrant for Miller issued by the Holetown Magistrates’ Court. That disclosure triggered a fiery response from Clarke, who accused local law enforcement of deliberate “trickery” and unethical conduct in the case. Clarke told the court that Miller had already been in police custody since the prior Sunday, and officers had promised to bring Miller before the Holetown court to address the warrant on the following Monday — a commitment they never fulfilled. “They have chosen not to take him to Holetown and then to have the audacity to come in here and to indicate empathically that there is a warrant out for him only indicates the vindictive position of the police,” Clarke argued. “I say that for the avoidance of doubt that they had him in their custody between then and now, and to choose to make that a precursor or a predicate to object to his bail is unconscionable and unethical on the part of the police.” Clarke expanded on the criticism, noting: “The rule of law must mean something to each and everyone of us, we ought not to practise trickery… do not come and tell me Holetown wants him, Holetown didn’t only want him today, and you had him for five days…. It is like offering a man a stove but then denying him gas – wicked.” Magistrate Sealy responded that she had formally noted Clarke’s objections, but that she had no legal authority to set aside the outstanding warrant. Clarke also made a separate request for the court to obtain medical records, revealing that Miller had recently required seven stitches for an injury he sustained while in police custody, at the hands of law enforcement officers. Ultimately, Miller was granted bail in the amount of $9,000, secured by one surety. As conditions of his bail, Miller must check in at the Black Rock Police Station every Wednesday before 6 p.m., and he is ordered to have no contact with complainant Gabriella Smith. Miller is scheduled to appear first at the Holetown Magistrates’ Court on Friday, October 16 to address the outstanding warrant, and will return to the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court for further proceedings in his current case on January 15, 2027.

  • Access can’t wait until university, says blind graduand

    Access can’t wait until university, says blind graduand

    At 68 years old, Elviston Maloney is set to make history this Saturday when he walks across the graduation stage at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus to collect his combined bachelor’s degree in psychology and management, capping off seven years of determined study. But beyond his personal milestone, this blind disability rights advocate is using his moment in the spotlight to push for critical systemic change: accessible infrastructure and accommodations for disabled students must start in primary school, not be left as an afterthought for tertiary institutions to address.

    Maloney’s journey through higher education has shed light on longstanding gaps in Barbados’ education system. When he enrolled in 2019, he was part of a cohort of seven disabled students on campus, including another blind student, a student with hearing impairment, a student with dyslexia, two wheelchair users, and a student who used a walker. Maloney explained that the Cave Hill campus was never designed to accommodate this diverse range of accessibility needs. While he credits the university and its faculty for making sincere efforts to welcome disabled students, he says gaps in access created unnecessary barriers to learning.

    One of the most persistent daily challenges Maloney and his fellow blind peers faced was accessing course materials. Even when lecture slides were available for download, converting them to a screen-reader compatible format was a time-consuming, tedious process that added extra burden to already rigorous coursework. “You’re dealing with something like 50 slides, 52 slides, depending on the topic area and the lecturer. So that in itself had its own challenge in terms of accessing the information,” Maloney explained, though he noted most lecturers went out of their way to be accommodating.

    Maloney argues that fixing these accessibility gaps at the tertiary level is too little, too late. Instead, he says basic accessible equipment – including computers, printers, and large-print tools – should be standard fixtures in every primary school classroom, not special requests for individual students. Building accessible infrastructure early creates a pipeline that allows disabled students to build skills and confidence before moving on to secondary and then tertiary education. Without this early foundation, Maloney says disabled students arrive at university already facing overwhelming barriers that even the most well-meaning institutions struggle to address.

    “The challenge can be that if nothing happens at the primary and secondary levels, but then you suddenly find yourself into a tertiary institution, which is not prepared for you, which knows very little about how to accommodate you, in the true sense of the word. They too are going to struggle,” he said.

    Beyond infrastructure, Maloney also called for reform of how disability education policies are created. He criticized the common practice of designing policies for disabled people without including disabled people in the decision-making process. Most policies are drafted at upper levels of government bureaucracy, he said, and the few disabled advocates who are invited to the table often lack the grassroots connection to represent ordinary disabled people, who frequently do not have the financial or family support to participate in high-level policy discussions.

    Financial barriers also persist beyond primary school. Maloney noted that scholarships earmarked for disabled students are extremely limited and often come with age restrictions, forcing older disabled students like himself to fund their education independently. This barrier has already put his planned master’s degree on hold, he said.

    Kerry-Ann Ifill, a blind Human Rights Commissioner, echoed Maloney’s calls for change, noting that the country’s current draft inclusive education policy signals a coming shift toward integrating disabled students into mainstream schooling, rather than segregating them. But she also acknowledged that achieving this goal will require sustained effort, increased public education, and systemic investment to make it a reality.

    For Maloney, the core of the issue is changing public perception. “It really takes very little for a person to acquire a disability. Absolutely very little. A sickness, a fall, things like that. And your whole life can change without even thinking about it,” he said. “If people can only begin to recognise that disability does not mean inability.”

    UWI Cave Hill Student Services Manager Dr. Khaleid Holder acknowledged that accessibility needs vary widely between individuals, and the university tailors accommodations to each student’s specific requirements. For Maloney, this included adjusting physical and virtual learning spaces to work with his screen reader software. Holder stressed that accessibility is a core strategic priority for the university, and the institution works hard to meet the needs of all enrolled disabled students. He also agreed with Maloney that improving accessibility needs to start early in the education pipeline, rather than waiting until students reach university, and said the university’s ultimate goal is to create an environment where students of all abilities can thrive.

    For other disabled people considering pursuing a university degree, Maloney says systemic change is important, but personal grit matters too. “You have to have a desire in your mind to overcome the hurdles and move to the next level,” he said.

  • Attorney General sounds alarm over legal system shortages

    Attorney General sounds alarm over legal system shortages

    During a call-to-the-bar ceremony for newly admitted legal practitioners at Barbados’ Supreme Court on Friday, Attorney General Wilfred Abrahams issued a stark warning about two pressing shortages threatening the island’s justice system and government policy goals: a dearth of criminal defense attorneys and qualified legislative drafters. The capacity crunch created by these gaps is already slowing judicial operations and hindering the government’s ability to advance planned legislative changes, he emphasized.

    Addressing the cohort of new attorneys, Abrahams highlighted that Barbados’ legal framework is facing growing strain from constrained human resources and a shrinking pool of specialized legal professionals. He linked the nation’s long-standing court backlog directly to the lack of attorneys willing to take on criminal cases, handle routine matters in the Magistrates’ Court, and represent litigants across different tiers of the judicial system.

    “You all know the names that dominate the criminal bar; you hear the same individuals called on for case after case,” Abrahams told the new practitioners. “That speaks to the high quality of legal expertise we have here in Barbados, but it also limits our ability to advance core priorities. We urgently need more legal professionals to enter criminal practice and take on work in the Magistrates’ Court.”

    Abrahams argued that reducing the crippling case backlog requires a generational shift in how young lawyers think about career specializations. In recent years, most newly qualified legal professionals have gravitated toward higher-paying corporate, commercial, or civil practice, leaving the criminal justice system starved for fresh talent. This gap undermines three foundational pillars of Barbados’ governance: equitable access to justice, the rule of law, and the constitutional right to a defense for all defendants.

    Overreliance on a small group of veteran defense attorneys has stretched the entire system to breaking point, creating persistent processing bottlenecks in both the Magistrates’ Court and the High Court. Abrahams confirmed that Chief Justice shares the concern, noting that there is also an unmet need for more criminal practice attorneys at the High Court level. “This is not speculation—it is a hard reality we face,” he added.

    Beyond judicial operations, Abrahams drew attention to the equally critical shortage of trained legislative drafters, which has slowed the government’s ambitious slate of statutory reforms. The lack of these specialists limits the state’s ability to pass key policy updates in a timely manner, but Abrahams noted the gap also creates significant opportunity for new lawyers. Specialized certification in legislative drafting comes with strong, stable career prospects, particularly for those interested in government work.

    “Our entire legislative agenda is held back because we have too few qualified drafters,” he explained. “To any new attorney thinking about earning this certification over the next 12 to 18 months: your job prospects with the government are excellent right now.”

    Abrahams added that a review of applications from incoming attorneys revealed widespread hesitation to enter criminal practice. Many respondents either dodged questions about working in the Magistrates’ Court or outright stated they intended to avoid criminal law entirely. “When we asked if they planned to practice in the Magistrates’ Court, some answered yes immediately, while many avoided the question entirely,” he said. “When asked about criminal law practice? It is clear we have a problem on our hands.”

    Closing his remarks, Abrahams urged the newly admitted attorneys to consider entering criminal practice or pursuing legislative drafting certification. Choosing these specializations would not only address urgent systemic gaps, he said, but would also help build a more efficient, accessible justice system for all Barbadians.

  • More Bajans showing interest in growing their own food

    More Bajans showing interest in growing their own food

    Across Barbados, a growing movement of self-sufficiency is emerging as more residents turn to home-grown food production, with space-efficient cultivation methods like hydroponics and greenhouse farming capturing widespread attention. This shifting trend has led to a steady stream of queries to the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC), from beginner householders looking to grow kitchen vegetables to aspiring commercial producers seeking guidance on farm establishment and government rebates.

    The growing enthusiasm for local agriculture was highlighted by BADMC agronomist Rontia Crichlow during a World Food Day agri-clinic held Thursday in Six Roads, St Philip. The event brought together agricultural experts and community members to provide free technical support for plant health management and crop production challenges. Speaking to reporters on site, Crichlow confirmed that interest in small-scale and commercial farming has climbed steadily in recent months. “Every day we get questions about different crop varieties or how to troubleshoot specific growing challenges, so the public response has been overwhelmingly positive,” she said.

    Enquiries come from aspiring growers across all experience levels, Crichlow explained. Unlike traditional large-scale farming that requires extensive plots of land, most new growers are prioritizing compact, home-adaptable production systems. Both greenhouse cultivation and controlled-environment agriculture have become top topics of interest, as these methods allow residents to grow crops in even small urban or suburban spaces. “Many householders are drawn to these techniques because they have a much smaller land footprint,” Crichlow noted. “You can start with a tiny hydroponic setup right on your balcony to grow fresh leafy greens for your family.”

    This rising interest extends beyond backyard hobby gardening. Crichlow reported that many residents exploring full-time commercial agriculture are also reaching out for information on sustainable production methods and government support programs. Questions about agricultural rebates to offset upfront investment costs are among the most common, with additional queries covering general crop management and animal livestock production.

    The World Food Day agri-clinic showcased a range of modern technologies designed to boost local food production and support new and existing growers. Attendees got a first-hand look at agricultural drones used to survey large farm parcels, detect early signs of plant disease, and map flood-prone areas that threaten crop health. A portable soil scanner was also demonstrated, which can deliver detailed data on soil nutrient levels, electrical conductivity, and pH balances in under five minutes. The tool allows extension officers to quickly identify soil issues that could hinder crop growth and recommend targeted amendments.

    Participants were also introduced to Farmer Dave, a new artificial intelligence-powered agricultural assistance tool currently being rolled out across the island. Accessible via mobile phone, the tool lets growers snap photos of unhealthy plants to get instant problem diagnoses and ask questions about best farming practices at any time of day. BADMC officials emphasize the AI tool is designed to supplement, not replace, the work of in-person extension officers who provide on-site technical support to farmers across Barbados.

    Despite the widespread enthusiasm for growing local food, the sector faces a pressing challenge: prolonged inconsistent rainfall and widespread water scarcity. Crichlow explained that farmers had hoped for more steady rainfall during the 2024 wet season, but have instead faced extended dry spells broken up by intense, short periods of heavy rain. “We’re in the official rainy season, and everyone hoped for a more active wet period to replenish water reserves,” she said. “That hasn’t happened, so we’re seeing long drought periods followed by sudden downpours, and that erratic pattern is really hard on plant health.”

    To help growers adapt to these changing climate conditions, BADMC has launched several new initiatives. The agency is currently testing new soil amendments designed to improve soil water retention, reducing the amount of irrigation needed to sustain crops. It has also installed irrigation sensors across major farming districts that monitor real-time soil moisture levels, helping farmers make more informed decisions about when to water crops. Crichlow advised growers to move away from fixed irrigation schedules, instead aligning watering with measured soil moisture and the specific growth stage of each crop. “When moisture drops below a pre-set threshold, you irrigate, and that threshold changes depending on how developed the crop is,” she explained.

    While water scarcity has created production challenges for many growers, BADMC has not confirmed any widespread shortages of specific vegetables at this time. Crichlow added that current conditions are far from the worst Barbados has seen in recent years, noting that local farmers have become far more proactive in adapting to climate variability and reducing the impact of water shortages on their output.

  • Sammy optimistic ahead of T20 series decider

    Sammy optimistic ahead of T20 series decider

    For nearly 22 years, a painful statistical drought has hung over West Indies cricket across all formats: no series victory on Indian soil since 2002. This Saturday, that unwanted streak will hang in the balance when the two sides take the field for a winner-takes-all fifth T20 International in Bengaluru, with the high-scoring five-match series deadlocked at two wins apiece.

  • Juveniles face affray charge over cancer walk brawl

    Juveniles face affray charge over cancer walk brawl

    A violent incident that unfolded at a major public charity fundraiser has resulted in three 15-year-old girls facing criminal charges, after an altercation broke out during the Cancer Society’s annual Walk for the Cure event. Held on Sunday, October 4, along the Warrens-to-Hothersal Turning stretch of the ABC Highway, the community fundraising gathering was disrupted when the three teens allegedly attacked another girl using unlawful force. Prosecutors state that the aggressive behavior of the three individuals was severe enough to put other attendees and bystanders present at the event in reasonable fear for their personal safety.

    Following their initial court appearance before Acting Magistrate Shakieda Sealy at the No. 2 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court, each of the three accused teenagers has been granted release on $1,500 bail. Standard juvenile justice procedures mean that the teens were not permitted to enter guilty or not-guilty pleas at this initial hearing, and the case has been formally transferred to the Juvenile Court system. The trio is scheduled to make their next official court appearance next Thursday, October 22, where the legal process will move forward for the affray charges.