Elderly man to answer charge of damaging washbasin at AIA

Raphael Patterson, the man alleged to have been so overtaken by rage that he damaged a washbasin at the Argyle International Airport (AIA), returns to court today to answer a charge of damage to property.

Last Friday, the 76-year-old man appeared in court, charged that on November 30, he caused damage to a ‘face basin,’ which is estimated to be worth $569.70 and is the property of the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines(SVG).

Patterson, who is originally from Campden Park, but lives in Trinidad, is said to have stayed in this country for two weeks, and was set to travel back to Trinidad on November 30.

However, Patterson’s plans were not to be. The defendant’s belongings were said to have been searched by the security at the AIA, who allegedly found, among his items, a bottle of ‘Strong Rum.’

Since Strong Rum is prohibited on airplanes, the bottle was subsequently confiscated. After this disruption in his travel plans, Patterson is alleged to have taken the bottle into one of the bathrooms at the AIA and smashed it against the washbasin, damaging the latter.

He was then detained for the offence and taken to the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court before magistrate Bertie Pompey.

The defendant, who was represented by attorney Jomo Thomas, pleaded not guilty to property damage and was given bail in the sum of $2,000 with one surety.

Patterson was set to have a speedy trial last Friday, December 8, but the court did not sit and the matter was adjourned until today.