标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Works Agency (NWA) has announced a temporary closure of Central Avenue in St Andrew to carry out critical drainage improvement works. The road will be shut down for 10 hours each day on Saturday and Sunday, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Central Avenue, a vital thoroughfare connecting Constant Spring Road to West Avenue and providing access to Queens High School, will be inaccessible to vehicular traffic during this period. Residents needing to access their properties will be permitted entry via West Avenue. Stephen Shaw, Manager of Communication and Customer Services at the NWA, emphasized that the project aims to mitigate frequent flooding issues along Central Avenue, particularly during heavy rainfall. The works are scheduled for the weekend of October 4 and 5. Motorists are urged to exercise caution, adhere to flagmen’s instructions, and follow posted warning signs to ensure safety during the closure.

A London-based nursery worker, Roksana Lecka, 22, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a series of ‘gratuitous’ and ‘sadistic’ assaults on infants under her care. The shocking case, which came to light in June 2024, involved multiple acts of violence against 21 babies at two nurseries where Lecka was employed. Among the incidents, she was found to have repeatedly kicked a young boy in the face, pinched, slapped, and even toppled children headfirst into their cots. Judge Sarah Plaschkes described Lecka’s actions as deliberate and cruel, often targeting children who were peacefully occupied. Lecka admitted to seven counts of cruelty to a person under 16 and was convicted of an additional 14 counts following a trial. She was acquitted of three further charges. The abuse was uncovered after nursery CCTV footage captured her mistreating the children, prompting police involvement. Victim impact statements from parents revealed the profound emotional toll the attacks had taken, with one mother describing the infants as ‘innocent, vulnerable, and helpless.’ Lecka, who blamed her actions on cannabis addiction, apologized in a letter to the court, claiming the drug had altered her personality. However, her remorse did little to mitigate the severity of her crimes, as the judge emphasized the ‘sadistic’ nature of her conduct.

A heated morning dispute at the Barnett Street transport center in Montego Bay, Jamaica, resulted in a court appearance for Tavon Thompson on Wednesday. Thompson faced charges of assault causing bodily harm before Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton at the St James Parish Court. The incident, which occurred on August 23 around 9:50 am, began when the complainant boarded a PPV bus where Thompson was seated. According to court documents, as the complainant passed Thompson, the latter allegedly raised his leg, causing the complainant to stumble over his foot. Thompson then reportedly pushed the complainant in the face. After the complainant took his seat, Thompson exited the bus and attempted to pull the complainant through the window, resulting in pain and swelling to the complainant’s right hand. A physical altercation ensued outside the bus, during which Thompson allegedly held the complainant in a necklock while gripping his left arm. The confrontation attracted a crowd, prompting nearby police officers to intervene. Both men were taken to the Barnett Street Police Station, where Thompson was arrested and charged. During the court proceedings, Thompson revealed that he had also filed a report against the complainant, though this matter was not addressed in court. Judge Fairclough-Hylton set the next hearing date for October 15, when the cross-case is expected to be reviewed. Thompson’s bail was extended until then.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 35-year-old taxi operator, Andre Catnott from Longwall, Stony Hill, has been formally charged with the trafficking of a 16-year-old girl. The case, which has drawn significant attention, underscores the ongoing issue of human trafficking in the region. According to law enforcement officials, Catnott allegedly exploited the teenager after she ran away from home in November 2024. Posing as a driver for a ride-share company, he reportedly offered her a modeling job at his massage business, only to coerce her into engaging in sexual acts with clients for financial gain. Catnott is accused of managing these transactions and profiting from the exploitation. The teenager was eventually located by a family member in February 2025, leading to a formal police investigation. On September 17, officers from the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch (C-TOC) executed a raid on Catnott’s residence, resulting in his arrest. Acting Senior Superintendent Victor Barrett of C-TOC emphasized the force’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals, stating, ‘The Jamaica Constabulary Force is working tirelessly to locate and arrest those who exploit children and prey on the most vulnerable in our country.’ Catnott was formally charged on September 22 and is set to appear in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on September 26, 2025. Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify and apprehend additional individuals involved in the operation. The public is encouraged to report any information related to human trafficking or organized crime to C-TOC at 876-967-1389, the National Intelligence Bureau at 811, Crime Stop at 311, or their nearest police station.