Dear Editor,
My five-year-old son Renel Roberts was hit on August 24 last while in the company of his grandfather, Sydney Stephen. Both of them had dismounted their separate bicycles and were pushing their bicycles near an excavator that was in use on the public road when the driver of a Toyota wagon hit my son, slamming him into the excavator track. My son died four days later at the Georgetown Public Hospital without regaining consciousness.
Stephen had submitted a statement that the driver was speeding and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. The driver was charged and placed before the courts. The police then claimed that the matter would be sent to the DPP for advice.
For two-and-a-half months now, the causing death by dangerous driving file has not been returned to the police on the Essequibo Coast, with the mystery surrounding its whereabouts causing the driver to be discharged for the offence on Thursday, November 13. As the mother of the victim I could not hold back my tears when Magistrate Sunil Scarce presiding at the Suddie Court made the disclosure, much to my disappointment.
The Magistrate in dealing with the matter stated that four months was too long a time for the file not to be returned and questioned what was really causing the delay. Before discharging the driver the Magistrate enquired if any of the deceased’s relative was present in court and I got up and made it known that on November 5 a check was made at the DPP’s office, by yours truly, where it was revealed that the file had been sent back two days earlier.
When questioned by the Magistrate how long it would take to reach here the prosecutor replied “Not more than a day.” The Magistrate then stated that ten days had already passed and it was still to reach here. The Traffic Chief was also contacted the same day by another family member and he too confirmed that the file had been sent back.
According to the Magistrate whenever the police get the file the matter can be refiled. But in my opinion something is fishy here, and I would desperately like to get justice in this matter. The questions are numerous in my mind, but the burning one is, how can a magistrate discharge a matter of this nature in just two-and-a-half months? I know of matters running for months, even years before being struck out. The main witness, who is Mr Stephens, has been present at every court date.
I find little comfort knowing that the matter can be refiled. What if this man leaves the country now? Where would the police find him to recharge him?
Long before now, it was being rumoured that the driver is related to a senior police official and nothing will ever come of the matter.
Where is the file? Of course it is not like a bird flying away and there is every need to find it, the earlier the better. The police must know where the file is and it is their responsibility and duty to find it. To me it was delayed conveniently and this is most unacceptable. The police need to make an immediate effort to get this file and recharge this guy and let justice take its course. This is utter lawlessness.
I’m appealing to the justice system of Guyana for justice. Please help stop the carnage on our roads.
Yours faithfully,
Beverly Roberts-Barrow
