标签： Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

In a case highlighting neighborhood disputes turning violent, 27-year-old Kimron Lavia from Mt Bentick, Georgetown has entered a guilty plea for assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The Georgetown Magistrate’s Court heard how the November 4, 2025 altercation unfolded between neighbors.

According to evidence presented by Police Constable 977 Fergus, the conflict originated when victim Dequano Joseph was cleaning his yard, an activity that apparently provoked Lavia and his brothers. The situation rapidly deteriorated into a verbal confrontation before turning physically violent.

Court documents reveal Lavia first hurled a glass bottle toward Joseph, which missed its intended target but struck and damaged a nearby residence. Not dissuaded by the failed attempt, Lavia then picked up a stone and successfully struck Joseph, inflicting injuries to his left thigh.

Defense attorney Grant Connell acknowledged the factual accuracy of the prosecution’s case while presenting mitigating circumstances. Connell asserted that Joseph had initially advanced toward the brothers brandishing a cutlass prior to the stone-throwing incident. The defense counsel characterized the injury as minor—merely a graze—and emphasized his client’s demonstrated remorse.

Prosecutor Inspector of Police Corlene Samuel deferred to the court’s judgment regarding appropriate sentencing. Magistrate Kaywanna Jacobs delivered a multi-tiered verdict: Lavia must provide EC$300 in victim compensation by January 30 or face a three-month incarceration period. Additionally, he received a EC$200 fine due by February 13, with a two-month prison alternative for non-payment.

The court further imposed a nine-month bond requirement, stipulating that any violation would result in an immediate EC$900 payment obligation or a four-month jail sentence. Police Constable 573 Young served as the primary investigator for the case.

Authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have initiated a formal investigation into the tragic death of a senior American tourist aboard an inter-island ferry. The incident occurred Sunday during transit between the capital city of Kingstown and the Grenadines archipelago.

The deceased has been identified as 73-year-old David John Hyde. Medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene, with preliminary evidence suggesting injuries potentially consistent with a significant fall. A district medical officer attended to the case immediately following the incident.

In an official communiqué, the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force indicated that while initial findings point to accidental trauma, the precise cause of death remains undetermined. A comprehensive post-mortem examination has been scheduled to establish conclusive medical and factual evidence surrounding the fatality.

Law enforcement officials are actively appealing to the public for assistance, urging any individuals with potentially relevant information to come forward. Witnesses or persons with knowledge of the event are encouraged to contact emergency services at 911 or 999, the dedicated tip line at 784-456-1810, or their nearest police station. Authorities have guaranteed complete confidentiality for all information provided to aid the ongoing investigation.

In a significant policy shift addressing long-standing labor concerns within the Vincentian police force, National Security Minister St. Clair Leacock announced Monday that officers performing corporal duties without corresponding compensation will finally receive proper payment starting February 1.

The minister, drawing upon his extensive background in military command and human resource management, characterized the practice of extended unpaid acting appointments as systemic exploitation. “This constitutes nothing less than the exploitation of people’s labour and service,” Leacock stated emphatically during his address.

Leacock revealed that there are currently 112 corporals in the police force, many of whom have been performing elevated responsibilities for periods ranging from three to eight years without appropriate remuneration. The minister condemned this tradition as fundamentally unjust, particularly within an organization that should exemplify proper employment practices.

The newly installed New Democratic Party administration, which assumed office on November 27, has moved swiftly to address this issue. Leacock announced the government’s decisive resolution: “We have made the decision that everyone must be paid their corporal’s pay, come the first of February.”

Establishing new procedural guidelines, the minister asserted that any reasonable probationary period for such appointments should not exceed six months. Beyond this timeframe, organizations must either formally confirm the appointment with proper compensation or return the officer to their previous position. This policy aims to prevent the exploitation of dedicated personnel who have accepted additional responsibilities in good faith.

Senior legal professionals in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are raising urgent concerns about systemic delays plaguing the judicial processing of child sexual offense cases, warning that prolonged timelines are causing secondary trauma to young victims.

Bar Association President Shirlan “Zita” Barnwell highlighted the alarming pattern during a special High Court session, noting that cases involving children under 13 face particularly egregious delays. While acknowledging the anecdotal nature of the evidence, Barnwell cited concrete examples where victims aged 8 at the time of violation reached 11 years or older before their cases reached trial.

The procedural bottleneck creates devastating consequences for victims who must relive their trauma years after the incidents. Barnwell emphasized that teenagers often face additional psychological barriers including shame and reluctance to testify, potentially compromising justice. She called for systemic reforms to ensure cases are resolved within two years to minimize retraumatization.

Attorney Grant Connell reinforced these concerns with disturbing accounts of child sexual abuse, including a pregnant 11-year-old victim rendered nearly catatonic by her experience. Connell advocated for strengthened legislation and enhanced police powers to address what he described as rampant abuse against minors.

Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Duane Daniel acknowledged the regional nature of the problem, citing limited court capacity with only one criminal High Court currently operational. However, he noted that some delays stem from necessary psychological assessments to determine victims’ readiness for testimony, emphasizing the balance between expediency and preventing retraumatization.

The legal experts collectively emphasized that addressing the crisis requires coordinated improvements across investigative, prosecutorial, and judicial processes, with particular attention to vulnerable child victims.

Bradley “Party Dawg” Huggins, a soca musician whose rising career was abruptly interrupted by incarceration, has delivered a powerful cautionary message about prison life following his recent release. The artist, who served over six years for a 2015 armed robbery conviction, characterized correctional facilities as places of unending torment where basic comforts and genuine human connections are scarce.

Huggins described the brutal reality of incarceration in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, revealing that prisoners endure overcrowded cells housing up to nine inmates in confined spaces. The daily routine involves minimal nutrition—primarily consisting of what he termed “the national dish in jail”: rice and stewed chicken—and limited recreational time. He detailed how inmates typically receive bread with tea for breakfast, the ubiquitous rice dishes for lunch, and light evening meals accompanied by herbal tea.

The artist revealed that survival in prison requires adopting protective personas, noting that “everybody wearing some kind of mask” and genuine relationships are rare. He explained that marijuana serves as a coping mechanism for many inmates, while interactions are often transactional rather than authentic. Huggins admitted to learning how to “become a snake” to navigate this dangerous environment where insincerity prevails.

Despite these challenges, Huggins found opportunities for personal growth through reading and reflection. He emphasized his determination to avoid reoffending, citing parental responsibilities toward his 11-year-old daughter as primary motivation. The artist maintained communication with his daughter throughout his sentence using contraband cell phones, demonstrating his commitment to remaining present in her life.

Huggins acknowledged his personal responsibility in the robbery incident while noting that peer influence and alcohol contributed to his poor decision-making. He expressed no bitterness toward his accomplices, revealing that both have reformed their lives since release—one operating a taxi business and the other abandoning previous negative behaviors.

The musician confirmed plans to revitalize his music career, with new recordings expected for the 2026 Vincymas celebrations. During his incarceration, prison authorities had permitted him recording studio access, indicating institutional recognition of his artistic potential. Huggins concluded that while prison constituted a “very rough experience,” it provided invaluable lessons about personal accountability and life priorities.