JPersad
10-20-2007, 10:07 AM
From the Trinidad Guardian dated 10/20/07 :
BY GEISHA KOWLESSAR
In what could be described as a “tit-for-tat” move, Lennox Smith—UNC’s candidate for Laventille East/Morvant—was arrested by a party of police officers who swooped on his Port-of-Spain home yesterday afternoon.
Smith was nabbed around 3.30 pm at his home at Philbert Street, Old St Joseph Road, by officers assigned to the Port-of-Spain Division, headed by Senior Supt Steve Waldron.
According to Waldron, Smith was arrested and charged with:
n Breaching a protection order
n Assault by beating
n Two counts of obscene language
Immediately after Smith’s arrest, he was taken to the St Clair Police Station.
Ironically, just one hour before his arrest, Smith had called a press briefing claiming to have been physically abused by his former common-law-wife Hazel Guerra.
During the briefing, held at the Ivy Williams Youth Centre, Sylbert Street in Success Village, Laventille, Smith displayed several bites and bruises, claiming that these were “put there by her (meaning Guerra).”
Smith also claimed that he “still loved her.”
Police, however, said Guerra made several reports claiming that she was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of Smith and also alleged that she suffered mental anguish.
According to Waldron, Smith was arrested for breaching a three-year protection order granted by the Port-of-Spain Magistrate’s Court on July 17, 2006.
The arresting officer, Waldron said, was Cpl Francis attached to the St Clair Police Station.
The alleged incidents, Waldron said, occurred at Saddle Road in Maraval, at the corner of Prince and George Streets in Port-of-Spain and at a bar in Laventille.
Up to 5.30 pm yesterday, Smith was still at the St Clair Police station and was yet to be granted bail by a Justice of the Peace.
Annabel Davis, Smith’s attorney, was called to the station shortly after his arrest, Waldron added.
He said Smith’s arrest was a culminiation of “investigations going on for some time.”
He said, “The investigations were taking place for some time and these investigations were sparked by reports made by Smith’s common-law wife.”
Panday: It’s A set-up
Contacted yesterday, UNC political leader Basdeo Panday said he was unaware of Smith’s arrest.
In a brief telephone interview, Panday said: “It sure looks like a set-up to me,” adding that in this country anything could happen.
“I am really surprised to hear this. This is news to me. Smith has not contacted me as yet. Probably he called Mr Warner after he was arrested.”
Panday said that he intended to find out the truth behind Smith’s arrest.
No support
At the St Clair Police Station where Lennox Smith was in custody up to late yesterday evening, there were no UNC Alliance supporters present.
No grassroot supporters from the Laventille area nor party officials were seen visiting the station to inquire about Smith’s status.
Contacted yesterday, a spokesman at Rienzi Complex in Couva said party officials were at walkabouts and would be in San Fernando for the opening of a new constituency office and presentation of candidates.
The spokesman could not say if any legal assistance would be afforded to Smith on the party’s behalf.
He charged for beating his wife .
BY GEISHA KOWLESSAR
In what could be described as a “tit-for-tat” move, Lennox Smith—UNC’s candidate for Laventille East/Morvant—was arrested by a party of police officers who swooped on his Port-of-Spain home yesterday afternoon.
Smith was nabbed around 3.30 pm at his home at Philbert Street, Old St Joseph Road, by officers assigned to the Port-of-Spain Division, headed by Senior Supt Steve Waldron.
According to Waldron, Smith was arrested and charged with:
n Breaching a protection order
n Assault by beating
n Two counts of obscene language
Immediately after Smith’s arrest, he was taken to the St Clair Police Station.
Ironically, just one hour before his arrest, Smith had called a press briefing claiming to have been physically abused by his former common-law-wife Hazel Guerra.
During the briefing, held at the Ivy Williams Youth Centre, Sylbert Street in Success Village, Laventille, Smith displayed several bites and bruises, claiming that these were “put there by her (meaning Guerra).”
Smith also claimed that he “still loved her.”
Police, however, said Guerra made several reports claiming that she was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of Smith and also alleged that she suffered mental anguish.
According to Waldron, Smith was arrested for breaching a three-year protection order granted by the Port-of-Spain Magistrate’s Court on July 17, 2006.
The arresting officer, Waldron said, was Cpl Francis attached to the St Clair Police Station.
The alleged incidents, Waldron said, occurred at Saddle Road in Maraval, at the corner of Prince and George Streets in Port-of-Spain and at a bar in Laventille.
Up to 5.30 pm yesterday, Smith was still at the St Clair Police station and was yet to be granted bail by a Justice of the Peace.
Annabel Davis, Smith’s attorney, was called to the station shortly after his arrest, Waldron added.
He said Smith’s arrest was a culminiation of “investigations going on for some time.”
He said, “The investigations were taking place for some time and these investigations were sparked by reports made by Smith’s common-law wife.”
Panday: It’s A set-up
Contacted yesterday, UNC political leader Basdeo Panday said he was unaware of Smith’s arrest.
In a brief telephone interview, Panday said: “It sure looks like a set-up to me,” adding that in this country anything could happen.
“I am really surprised to hear this. This is news to me. Smith has not contacted me as yet. Probably he called Mr Warner after he was arrested.”
Panday said that he intended to find out the truth behind Smith’s arrest.
No support
At the St Clair Police Station where Lennox Smith was in custody up to late yesterday evening, there were no UNC Alliance supporters present.
No grassroot supporters from the Laventille area nor party officials were seen visiting the station to inquire about Smith’s status.
Contacted yesterday, a spokesman at Rienzi Complex in Couva said party officials were at walkabouts and would be in San Fernando for the opening of a new constituency office and presentation of candidates.
The spokesman could not say if any legal assistance would be afforded to Smith on the party’s behalf.
He charged for beating his wife .