Ex-Sergeant pleads for psychological help

An ex-Sergeant of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force is claiming that he resigned from the local Constabulary because of lack of support shown by his colleagues after lawyer Bertram Stapleton was gunned down outside his office last year.{{more}}

Wayne Grant was at the time giving evidence in the matter where suspended police officer, Salmon Bailey, stands accused of causing the death of Elson Hazel by reckless driving on Saturday, January 19, 2008.

Grant, who had to be arrested on a warrant for not appearing in court, told Chief Magistrate Sonya Young that he has been experiencing psychological problems since Stapleton’s life was viciously snatched from him. Describing Stapleton as his close friend, Grant revealed that they both had huge aspirations. “We had a plan to be the first Prime Minister and Commissioner out of Chateaubelair…. Since his death, it has affected me and nobody has helped me to get over this,” Grant lamented.

A visibly traumatized Grant even stated that he has difficulty remembering things and said that it is a lady by the name of “Miss Gibson” who helps him with his problem once every week.

Hazel became this country’s second road fatality in 2008 when a white rental Suzuki jeep, driven by officer Bailey, slammed into the Digicel Store on Halifax Street at about 5:30 a.m.

However, the ex-police officer hardly displayed any signs of memory loss as he gave his evidence to the court.

In responding to Grant, Chief Magistrate Young expressed her sympathy but admonished him for his behaviour towards the court. “You just can’t refuse to come to court when you are ordered to…if you have a problem you should seek help and not just blame others,” Young stated. The magistrate further stated that since Grant could stand in the witness box and state all his problems, he was cognizant of what was going on.

After he finished giving his testimony, Young told Grant that he should immediately go downstairs to the Family Affairs Division and speak to the Director Camie Matthews, to arrange for counselling.

Three more prosecution witnesses are to be called at the next sitting of the Preliminary Inquiry, which is expected to conclude on Wednesday, August 5. Lawyer Ronald Marks represents Bailey in the matter.(KW)