| “I am not Magistrate Primo or Justice Primo.”“The police cannot convict or the police cannot imprison anyone,” the words of Commander of the East Coast Demerara Division, Assistant Commissioner Gavin Primo, in response to allegations of police inaction by a Nabaclis woman.The woman, Vanessa Francis, was joined by members of the non-governmental groups Red Thread and Grassroots Women Across Guyana, in a protest outside the office of the Commissioner of Police on Monday, to further lament her case.The protest came in the wake of complaints that she is being stalked and threatened by her reputed husband, with whom she once shared a 23-year relationship.The woman said that she was previously stabbed 10 times about her body before her assailant escaped. He was later captured by relatives and was taken into custody by police at Brickdam.She said that he was transferred to East Coast Demerara and later appeared before a Magistrate there.The man, she said, was put on $10,000 bail for other charges for which he was before the court and not for the complaints lodged by her.As a result, she said her assailant is now on the road, sending her threatening messages, including one that states that he has a gun with two bullets meant for her. Francis said she fears for her life and would like the Police to act swiftly.Some of the placards during the protest read, “Does Nigel Douglas have to carry out his threats before he is put away?” “Mr. Primo you swore to protect and serve, protect Vanessa from Douglas now.”But contacted by this newspaper, Assistant Commissioner Primo said that he is satisfied that his ranks did their job in keeping with their mandate.“The police have adequately fulfilled their mandate. This country is not a police state. I don’t know that I could send a man to jail just like that,” Assistant Commissioner Primo told Kaieteur News.This newspaper was reliably informed that Douglas was charged on December 29, last, for threatening behaviour committed on Derrick Gilkes and Vanessa Francis, a matter which was put down until May 24 at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court.On the same day in December, last, he was also charged with abusive behaviour committed on Vanessa Francis for which he is on $10,000 bail to return to court in May.On March 25 this year he was again charged with threatening behaviour, also committed on Francis.Information from the police stated that Douglas was charged with the unlawful wounding of Francis on February 17. However, police claimedthat on February 24 when the matter was called, both the victim and the defendant were absent.That matter was set for report on March 16 and is now for trial on May 10.Douglas was also charged with larceny of a gold chain valued $60,000, committed on Francis on September 19, last.During Monday’s protest, both Red Thread and Grassroots Women Across Guyana opined that the Magistracy should pay more attention and ensure that victims of domestic violence are protected and receive justice.“He is free to walk while I am locked up like I did something and need to hide,Custom Utah Jazz Jerseys,” Francis said.But Commander Primo responded by saying, “I am not Magistrate Primo or Justice Primo.”A source at the Cove and John Police Station confirmed that there were no subsequent reports by Francis against Douglas since he was released on bail late last month. |
