Reports and sources have indicated that Sgt. Ottley Laborde of the Royal Montserrat Police Service (RMPS) will face charges of wounding, assault occasioning bodily harm, disorderly conduct and threatening language. These charges arise out of the incident previously reported where H. E. Governor Adrian Davis initiated a full scale investigation in police misconduct.
There were two officers who were immediately suspended and put on compulsory leave following internal police investigations into alleged abuse of George Leonard and George Farrell on the morning of December 17, 2011 at Drummonds, following their arrests by the police.
The Governor ordered the matter fully investigated and invoked arrangements between the Overseas Territories whereby Montserrat can call on the assistance of other OT police services. Six (6) police officers from the Bermuda and Cayman Islands Royal Police Services arrived on Monday last week and the charges were reportedly as a direct result of the further investigations, which the Governor said were also ordered to ensure ‘transparency.’
One other officer Superintendent Charles Thompson remains on leave as the investigations are said to be continuing. And last week the Governor had indicated that it was possible that there could be other persons implicated in matters arising out of the Drummonds arrest incident. Reports indicated also that civilians had in ways conducted themselves inappropriately.
Suspect held on suspicion of rape
Meanwhile the police after reporting an incident of rape in the early hours of Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, they are reportedly holding in custody one suspect for the alleged rape.
The police noted in reporting the incident which took place in Davy Hill that it was “the fourth incidence of rape since October 2011. The RMPS noted that on average Montserrat has one rape case per year, discounting statutory rapes of minors, adding that they are looking at possible linkages and connections between three of the cases as there are some similarities in the reports. Two of the assaults took place in Davy Hill and the third in Lookout.
Deputy Commissioner Paul Morris had concern to issue advice to women asking them to be cautious and vigilant, making sure doors and windows are secure before retiring to bed at nights as three of the incidents took place in the home or very close to it after midnight. “Be careful about your own security,” he warned.
