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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday January 17, 2014
Colwyn Harding sexual abuse matter…
Assistant Superintendent among eight - Brumell says lack of supervision allowed ranks transferred ordeal; probe to wrap up by Tuesday By Leroy Smith POLICE Commissioner Leroy Brumell has confirmed that eight members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), besides Constable 19175 Devin Mahendra Singh, have been removed from the Timehri Police Station, East Bank Demerara. Singh, who resides at Lot 125 Third Street, Mon Repos, ECD, was the first rank to be removed from the station and placed under close arrest following the sexual assault committed on 23-year-old Liang Avenue resident Colwyn Harding in November last year. At a press conference called yesterday to clear the air, Commissioner Brumell addressed the concerns and questions of the media with respect to the sexual assault and torture of the young Harding while in police custody. Also present at that press conference were the Crime Chief, the Administration and Operations Officers, and the ‘A’ Division Commander, under whose supervision the Timehri Police Station falls. Commissioner Brumell admitted that lack of supervision of Constable Singh caused the prisoner to be abused, but he promised that investigations into the matter would continue and several persons would be questioned, including police officers, court orderlies, prosecutors, medical staff, and per-
sons who were simultaneously incarcerated with Harding. He added that by Tuesday of next week, the Police Office of Professional Responsibilities (OPR) would complete investigating the matter and forward their findings to the Director of Public Persecutions (DPP) for advice. The Commissioner said those ranks implicated in the matter and those who have been transferred have all denied that the 23-year-old Harding had been raped with a baton whilst in police custody. They have even denied that he had been
reported, Harding was reported as having been “assaulted”. There was nothing to suggest that a baton had been used in the manner alleged, nor was the severity of the matter ventilated until Harding’s mother had spoken with ‘A’ Division Commander George Vyphius, who learnt the sordid details of the incident through a recording the woman played for him, wherein her son had detailed the ordeal of the abuse. Brumell said he has respond to Harding’s attorney in respect to the one-hundred-million-dol-
Colwyn Harding as he lay helpless on his hospital bed assaulted whilst in custody. Responding to queries as to why only on Monday -- almost two months after the abuse of Harding -- was the cop who had been fingered as the perpetrator of the assault placed on arrest, Commissioner Brumell said that when the matter was first
lar ($100M) compensation being sought. He said he told the attorney that good sense should be allowed to prevail in this matter, and compensation should await completion of the investigation, including after the file would have been sent to, and returned
Harding was being treated for hernia related complications – Health Minister MINISTER of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran yesterday told the National Assembly that Colwyn Harding, the man alleged to have been sexually assaulted by a policeman, lost a portion of his intestines through gangrene. An investigation is currently ongoing on the claim made that Harding was sexually assaulted by a member or members of the Guyana Police Force while in custody at the Timehri Police Station. Minister Ramsaran, responding to ‘Questions without Notice’ posed to him by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, Winston Felix who asked about the extent of Harding’s injuries, said he was being treated for “incarcerated hernia” and subsequent complications. Dr. Ramsaran explained that a part of Harding’s bowel was found to be gangrenous in the right scrotal sack and emergency surgery was done on December 18 to remove it. However, this was subsequently followed by a breakdown of the rejoined intestines. “This led to certain serious internal complications including septic conditions within the abdomen. This meant that the patient had to be reopened coming out of the first operation,” he
Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran speaking in the National Assembly yesterday stated. The Health Minister said while Harding lost a length of his intestines, he has recovered sufficiently for doctors to try and reattach them. Dr. Ramsaran said Harding was being treated for a serious hernia and subsequent complications. Referring to the allegation that a policeman had pushed a baton into Harding’s anus, he said, “Any doubting of this will put under question the professional code of professionals. I’m saying, Mr. Speaker, the juxtaposition to the Opposition needs to be analysed…our surgical professionals are saying that this patient was operated on
because of pains in the right scrotal area,” Dr. Ramsaran said. The minister was firm in his conviction that his report was based on his “trust in the professionalism” of the doctors. Felix, a former Police Commissioner, also questioned the availability of colostomy bags which, since his hospitalisation, Harding had been using. Minister Ramsaran gave the assurance that these bags were in stock and would be available. The Opposition MP was also informed that the GPHC does not attach any cost for medical treatment and that the necessary skills to deal with Harding’s case were available locally. He added however, that all patients are entitled to a second opinion should they wish one. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs is awaiting the submission of a report on this matter from the Guyana Police Force. “The Ministry of Home Affairs expects that condign action will be taken by the Commissioner of Police against the Rank(s) found culpable after a speedy, full and proper investigation is conducted into the allegation and legal advice sought from the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions,” the ministry stated.
Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell and part of his top brass from, the DPP. Crime Chief Seelall Persaud noted there was a breach of the standard operating procedures at both the level of the GPF ranks who dealt with the matter initially and prison officers to whom the prisoner reported his abuse while on remand. Despite the incident having occurred in November, Commander George Vyphius said, he knew nothing of the matter prior to being apprised by the commissioner. He pointing out that at the time he was alerted about the matter, he had just taken over operation of ‘A’ Division. It is not clear if the now deceased A Division Commander Derrick Josiah had been aware of the incident, and if any investigation had been underway. Despite the ongoing investigation, the police have not yet visited Harding to get a
statement from him. A statement was, however, taken from his mother, it has been reported. The police top brass could not say if Constable Singh had ever previously been reprimanded for a similar act or for acts which can be considered unprofessional in conduct, given the nature of his job. However, they vowed that, during the investigations, checks would be made on all those details, and findings would be made public. The police top brass could also not say why Constable Singh had been the only one placed on close arrest, when Harding, in his recording, would have identified other officers who were involved in his brutalization. The GPF top brass have steadfastly denied that the process of charging a civilian is faster than what obtains in re-
spect to a police officer. Crime Chief Seelall Persaud said charges are laid based on the statements and evidence gathered during an investigation. Things are done in stages. Persaud has said the same procedures are applicable when investigating both civilians and police officers. He admitted, however, that it has become a practice that matters reported in the press tend to get faster attention, and investigations thereof tend to move a bit faster. Since the occurrence of Harding’s alleged sexual abuse incident, many persons, including those from the Home Affairs Ministry, have come out in condemnation of the act, with the ministry describing the actions of some police personnel as being a mockery of the ongoing police reform process.
Finance Minister tables two supplementary financial papers
- one for $1.1 billion, the other for $412.3 million By Vanessa Narine FINANCE Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, yesterday, tabled two supplementary financial papers. The first, a $1.1B paper, reflects advance made from the contingencies fund for the period 2013-11-06 to 2013-12-31. The listed expenditures on this paper are in relation to: additional electricity subsidy to Linden Electricity Company Inc (LINMINE) and Kwakwani Utilities Inc.; to clean up campaign in Georgetown; payment of additional stipend and tuition fees for Government of Guyana sponsored students; execution of additional drainage and irrigation works; providing additional support to Transport and Harbours Department; and clean up exercise at schools within the Georgetown District following heavy rainfall, among others. A provision for assistance to Philippines following typhoon Haiyan, Somalia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Dominica is also included on the paper. Minister Dr Ashni Singh Informed by the needs analysis of the Caribbean addressing the National Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDMA), reAssembly yesterday cently made public, Cabinet approved the transfer of some US$275,000 to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia. The countries were hit by the torrential rains and high winds, which caused deaths and severe damage to property and infrastructure over the period December 23 to 25. The second financial paper is for $412.3m, which is a supplementary provision on the capital estimates for the period ended 2013-12-31. Included in this provision are amounts for additional inflows specific to drainage and irrigation works including control structures, gates, culverts, bridges, pump station and rehabilitation of channels and consultancy services; additional inflows specific to upgrading of roads, construction of core homes and supply of materials and labour for the construction of houses under the hinterland pilot component; and additional inflows specific to the purchase of furniture and equipment to enhance the institutional capacity of the Court of Appeal, Commercial Court, Director of Public Prosecutions Chambers, Ministry of Legal Affairs; establishment of Law Revision Department; rehabilitation of courtrooms; purchase of transformer and administrative expenses. Both financial papers are expected to be considered at the next sitting of the National Assembly.