Man charged with damaging washbasin at AIA

A moment of anger allegedly expressed against a washbasin at the Argyle International Airport (AIA) landed a 76-year-old man in court last Friday.

Raphael Patterson is charged with on November 30, causing 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 has predominant ties to Trinidad, is said to have stayed in this country for two weeks, and was set to travel back to Trinidad last Thursday.

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 it.

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

The defendant, who was represented by Attorney Jomo Thomas, pleaded not guilty to property damage and bail was then considered for him.

The prosecution had no objection to his bail, but asked that he surrender his travel documents.

The magistrate upheld the order to surrender travel documents, ruling bail in the sum of $2,000 with one surety.

Patterson is set to have a speedy trial to determine his guilt or innocence in the matter on December 8.(KR)