A MOTHER who went to the Opposition Leader’s anti-crime talk, pleading for help in a case involving alleged police abuse of her 19-year-old son, has praised Kamla Persad-Bissessar for offering help.
On March 4, Candace St Edwards attended the public meeting in Sangre Grande where she related the ordeal she said her son experienced on Jouvert morning (February 12) at the hands of a Special Reserve Police (SRP) officer she identified by name.
She bared her pain saying this was an incident she witnessed with her own eyes during Jouvert celebrations in Sangre Grande.
St Edwards claimed there was a point where her son was on the ground surrounded by 15 officers who were kicking him and beating him ‘like a dog’.
She said her son was charged with resisting arrest and possession of a knife, but she maintained that all he had on him was his wallet and cellphone.
St Edward said wrote to Police Commissioner Erla Christopher and she also complained to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) and the Police Complaints Authority in vain.
She further made appeals to the Prime Minister and National Security Minister via social media.
No one heard her cries except Persad-Bissessar, she said.
‘When I went to the meeting I didn’t think I would get help. I went to talk, this woman (Persad-Bissessar) literally came down to my level as a mother and she understood what I was saying, she cared, and for that I am truly grateful,’ she told the Express yesterday.
Family living in fear
In a TikTok video, St Edwards said, ‘Today was our first hearing at the Sangre Grande Magistrates’ Court and we were properly well represented by the attorney that Ms Kamla Persad-Bissessar sent to represent us….
‘On behalf of myself, my son, the other two young men and their parents. We want to say thank you very much, Ma’am, for your assistance, for caring about us when nobody else cared.’
St Edwards told the Express last weekend that she is praying her son gets justice.
She said her family life has been ‘upset’ because they live in fear and this is a nightmare that has taken a toll on them.
St Edwards said there must be a thorough investigation into the officers at the Sangre Grande Police Station to deal with corrupt officers.
She said Persad-Bissessar’s kindness and assistance had given hope to the community of North East Settlement, Sangre Grande.
Attorney Amit Mahabir, who was asked by Persad-Bissessar to assist the family, said he met with St Edwards and her son, Jabari Francis, and obtained instructions to take action against the State for assault and battery.
He said a pre-action protocol letter was issued on Thursday and a deadline of 28 days was given for a response before further legal action is taken.