(Trinidad Express) An investigation has been launched into claims made by a teenager that he was set on fire by officers while in custody at the Princes Town Police Station.
Senior Supt of the Southern Division, Cecil Santana, on Monday told the Express reports have been submitted by the officers concerning the alleged incident.
Jamerson John,18, told his mother he was set alight by police officers on Christmas Eve after he refused to admit being involved in an incident of housebreaking and larceny.
Sherma Atwater said her son told her he was handcuffed, stripped to his underpants, doused with methylated spirit and set afire.
At the medical facilities John said officers told him to tell doctors he was passing by scented candles at the police station when he was burnt.
From the Princes Town Health Facility, John was transferred to the San Fernando General Hospital.
His mother received a phone call from the institution on Christmas Day that her son was at the burns unit with injuries to his torso, genital area and leg.
Two teenagers who were arrested on the same day as John, appeared before the Princes Town Court charged with breaking and entering the home of L’shana Alleyne and robbing her and Akimo Garcia of personal items.
Brandon Superville, 18, faced Magistrate Avason Quinlan.
A 17-year-old with whom he has been jointly charged was not brought from the Youth Training Centre where he was sent last Friday.
He is being represented by attorney Shaun Teekasingh.
Superville’s attorney applied for bail for the student and part-time bar worker who she said had no previous or pending matter before the court.
Quinlan placed him on $175,000 bail with the condition that he has not contact with the alleged victims.
Both teens will return to court on January 13.
