Homeless man in unprovoked attack arrested-police
BVI Platinum News
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has issued a press release relating to the attack of a female this morning March 25 by a man who is often times seen wandering around Road Town. The incident, which raises a number of concerns, took place in the area of Bobby’s Supermarket, Road Town.
This afternoon, police stated that a local resident received minor injuries during an allegedly unprovoked attack.
“Officers from the RVIPF, actually on their way to the scene of the report, met a male answering the description of the alleged offender close nearby. This male, a local homeless individual who is known to officers, was immediately arrested and removed to Road Town Police Station where he currently awaits charges,” police stated in the press release.
According to police, other officers then made their way to the victim and took her promptly to hospital for treatment. Officers will be interviewing and offering support to the victim; the alleged offender remains in custody.
As reporter earlier, when BVI Platinum News arrived on the scene, a police officer was speaking to the injured young lady, Rosanye Richards, who is Spanish speaking. Her family members were present to assist in relating the incident to the officers.
The woman’s father, Bienvenido Richards, who has been living in the BVI for some 23 years, told BVI Platinum News that his daughter was coming from the area of Bolo’s and as she approached the area of Bobby’s, the man charged towards her, slammed her into the ice machine and hit her twice at the side of her face with his fist.
He said the man then ran off.
The alleged attacker was identified as Sonnel Hanley, who was recently released from prison for punching a tourist in the Noel Lloyd Action Movement Park.
“They need to do something about these crazy people on the road. Someone is going to get hurt badly…He just came out of court and now he hit my daughter; it could have been worse. I come to find him but he ran off…But as far as I am concerned some of these people only playing mad because you send them to prison for a couple of months and then they are out back doing the same thing,” said Richards.
Mr. Steve Parillon who attempted to assist by calling 911 following the incident told BVI Platinum News that as he came out of Bolo´s he heard the woman screaming and saw her holding her face. However, what he found appalling was when he called 911 to report the incident he was asked if the person was a `white or black´ person.
Parillon said he became upset and asked if it matters as a female was just slapped by a “crazy person”. He said the person on the line indicated that they would just like to know if it is a tourist. Parillon said he said he related that it didn´t matter since someone was injured.
He said the police did not respond promptly, but he was able to get the attention of a police vehicle which was passing in the area and that officer attended to the matter.
Meanwhile, Elton Leonard*, proprietor of Bobby´s supermarket and U.P´s Cineplex told BVI Platinum News that he too is concerned over the loitering of the man in his business area. He said on Sunday the man was interfering with tourists and he called the police, but they came and did nothing. He said it is of concern to him.
In July of last year, Hanley was sentenced to six months in prison for the offence of common assault for punching a male tourist in the face.
At the time, the sitting Magistrate also ordered that he undergoes psychiatric treatment while at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP).
For more on this story go to:
http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?module=news&page=Article&articleID=1364225025
*ELTON LEONARD
In a separate story OffshoreAlert have published a notice of a Claim Form in FirstCaribbean International Bank (Cayman) Limited v. Elton Leonard and Noel Leonard** at the British Virgin Islands High Court.
**NOEL LEONARD
In a separate story Noel Leonard was shot during an armed robbery in June 29th 2010 at First Caribbean Bank
From BVI Platinum News, June 29, 2010
In a press release after 11:00 am on Tuesday, the Police Information Office confirmed that a robbery attempt was made on a supermarket proprietor Noel “Bobby” Leonard, as he made his night deposit at First Caribbean Bank after midnight last night.
According to the release, the proprietor received one gunshot wound to the lower back during the incident, but the injury is not believed to be life threatening.
The security guard who was with the proprietor at the time of the incident was unharmed.
“Events surrounding the incident are still under investigation and therefore Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen either someone on foot or in a vehicle leaving the Palm Grove, First Bank or First Caribbean Bank area after midnight last night,” the release stated.
Persons can contact the Commissioner of Police Reynell Frazer directly at 468-9333, the Road Town Police Station at 494-3822 or the nearest Police Station.
The identities of individuals who furnish information will be kept in strict confidence. Persons can also call the anonymous confidential hotline 1-800-744-8477.
According to the release, the Police information Office will give updates as more information becomes available.
For more on this story go to:
http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?module=news&page=Article&articleID=1277809753
