The Public Relations Officer of the DPP’s Chambers Liz Rahaman yesterday told Stabroek News that the file on the death of Rovin Williams has not yet reached the Chambers.
She said that on June 30, the child’s mother visited the DPP’s office and filled out a complaint and recognising the importance of the case, a request was made to the police but as of yesterday, no file had been taken to the DPP’s Chambers.
Rahaman also told Stabroek News that the mother informed that she had travelled to the office in the company of the accused driver who had a sum of money and wanted to settle the matter. Rahaman added that she promptly told the woman to ask the driver to leave the premises as the DPP’s office does not facilitate such transactions.
Region Two Commander, Superintendent Khemraj Shivbaran had told Stabroek News on Tuesday that the file had been sent to the Chambers of the DPP and had not been returned.
Yesterday, he told Stabroek News that the file had been signed and sent off for advice. Shivbaran said he was unable say if the file had gone to the DPP’s office or to the Police Legal Advisor (PLA). He said that the file had some information that needed to be cleared up.
The businessman had been placed on $300,000 station bail while legal advice was pending.
According to the information received, the man was reversing his truck out of his yard at Adventure, Region Two, on June 12, when Williams fell from the tray of the vehicle and was crushed. He was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where he eventually succumbed to his injuries.
This newspaper understands that the boy had dropped out of school and was employed by the businessman to pick mangoes.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour told Stabroek News that child labour charges are likely to be brought against the businessman.
The boy was said to be employed by the businessman in contravention of the Employment of Young Persons and Children Act (Cap. 99:01), Section 3 (a) (1) which states, “No child shall be admitted to employment or work in any occupation.”
A source has informed the Stabroek News that a full investigation has been launched into this matter and based on its findings, a charge will likely will be made in this regard.
This tragic incident occurred on the day Guyana and the rest of the world observed “World Day against Child Labour.”
