June 29 - July 5, 2019
NEWS
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
9
Millipedes are ‘nature’s friendly recyclers’
WITH DELANA ISLES
Obed Dupree was gunned down on April 8
RATHER than being a nuisance, the tiny, wriggly creatures seen all over the Turks and Caicos Islands, are actually very useful, says the Department of Agriculture. Millipedes feed on dead plants and play a major role in breaking down waste, a press release on Tuesday (June 25) read. They recycle nutrients back into the soil at a faster rate than decomposing plants and animals. “In recent times, you may have seen numerous millipedes in and around your home and perhaps you may be wondering, what are these worms and can they harm you?” According to the department millipedes are not worms. They are arthropods with as much as 200 pairs of legs. Arthropods are invertebrates with an exoskeleton, segmented body and joint appendages that are either black or brown with orange or red markings on their body. “These organisms are harmless they do not bite or sting and are known as nature’s recyclers,” the press release said. They prefer to be outside in a
Millipedes feed on dead plants and play a major role in breaking down waste
compost heap, under rocks or under leaves. After periods of drought or rains, millipedes may be seen in large numbers in homes and will curl into a ball when threatened to protect their soft underside. “Be patient, as they will soon leave or die after being indoors for about two days since they require high levels of moisture and love
damp spaces. “If you touch a millipede, wash your hands as they will give off chemicals that may irritate the skin and eyes. “Seal windows, doors and cracks to prevent their entrance into your home. “Next time you see a millipede, just return them outdoors where they will continue to be nature’s friendly recyclers.”
Ellington Been, murder accused
Jury finds man guilty of serious knife attack
Chabo Capron, murder accused
Insufficient evidence to try men accused of Obed Dupree’s murder CHABO Capron, 29 and 24 year old Ellington Been aka ‘Billy or BJ’ are now free men after Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale discharged the Crown’s murder case against them. Representing Capron and Been when the decision was handed down on Wednesday, June 25, were attorneys Lara Maroof-Misick and Oliver Smith, respectively. Nineteen year old Obed Dupree was killed on April 8, 2019 after assailants opened fire from the windows of a car that had pulled up alongside him on Airport Road
sometime around midnight. Several rounds were fired, two of which hit the victim. He was rushed to the hospital where he reportedly fingered his killers before succumbing to his injuries. After hearing submissions from both counsel for the accused men and the Crown, the Chief Justice ruled that there was insufficient evidence against the defendants and discharged the matter. The men who were previously remanded to prison have now been let go.
EVANO Roberts aka ‘Cheeks’ has been convicted by a jury for the offense of inflicting grievous bodily harm with a knife. The verdict was handed down on Wednesday, June 25. The incident took place in Blue Hills, Providenciales when Roberts got into an altercation with another man, in what is reportedly a love triangle gone wrong. Roberts stabbed the man four times in his abdomen, arms and other parts of his body as the victim attempted to block the knife from connecting with his face and head. The victim was as a result hospitalised for several weeks recovering from his wounds. His attacker was granted bail for the offence and remains out on bond until his sentencing on July 30. Counsel for the defendant was Ashwood Forbes and Justice Shiraz Aziz is presiding over the matter.
Bleach attack on cop lands man in jail
HAITIAN National John Elliot has been remanded to prison for causing grievous bodily harm to a police officer. Elliot is accused of throwing bleach on the cop while he was stationed at the Providenciales police station. Reports are that Elliot threw the harmful substance into the officer’s eyes. The policeman is still undergoing treatment as he was partially blinded as a result of the attack. Elliot will soon appear in court for a plea and directions hearing.
Long time Jamaican resident jailed for overstaying
NORRIS Cata, who has been living in the Turks and Caicos Islands for over 30 years is now a guest at Her Majesty’s Prison for staying beyond his permitted time.
Cata appeared in the Magistrates’ Court on June 17, charged with the offence. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to six months imprisonment. Court documents revealed that the man had paid for several work permits, but since 2008 he stopped paying and proceeded to remain in the territory without proper documentation.
Three Bahamians remanded for customs violation CAPTAIN John Harvey Arnold Pintard, a Bahamian national along with other crew members of a cargo vessel were on Easter weekend arrested by Customs, Immigration and Police Task Force for breaching the customs ordinance. The captain is charged with breaching of customs direction, untrue declaration and assisting illegal entry into the territory. His two crew members Gridley Milfort and Jun Harry Cupidon are both charged with breaching of customs direction. Milfort faces an additional charge of untrue declaration. The allegation against the captain and crew are that they brought illegal Haitian migrants into the TCI on a vessel containing cargo for local merchants. The men were being kept at the detention center since their arrest in April when they appeared in court. They were then remanded by the court to Her Majesty’s Prison. However, when they appeared in court on June 17, they were brought there by Police, Immigration and Customs officials. This prompted the Magistrate to question why the men were not brought by prison authorities. The court was told that the men were still being housed at the detention centre. The magistrate warned that this was wrong and ordered that the men be transferred to the Grand Turk facility.