Crime/Justice, Local news, News

PM Harris: St Kitts Will Not Be A Haven For Criminals

Published 11 May 2017

St Kitts and Nevis (WINN): At his press conference Wednesday (May 10), Prime Minister Timothy Harris was asked what safeguards are there to guard against tainted money being used to access citizenship from St Kitts and Nevis.

The question was asked against the backdrop of China’s claim that Ren Biao used some of his alleged criminal gains to obtain St Kitts and Nevis citizenship.

The Prime Minister told reporters that the overhauled CBI features several layers of due diligence.

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Crime/Justice, Local news, News

Government Seeking To Amend Bail Act And Firearms Act

Published 11 May 2017

St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): The government has signaled its intention to move against an existing situation in which suspects of violent crime given bail reportedly end up committing other serious crimes while on bail.

Attorney General Vincent Byron is indicating that appropriate legislation will be tightened up to address those and other crime-related concerns.

The government wants to amend both the bail act and the firearms act.

“An assessment of trends over the past five years has revealed that criminals charged with capital felonies and are being granted bail have gone on to orchestrate and commit other capital offences. This alarming trend has led the government to seriously consider the possibility of amending the 2012 Bail Act to include a certain category of offences that will not be eligible for bail. Currently, Section 3 of the Bail Act gives discretion to the court to determine whether bail should be granted or denied, Sub Section 2 provides for partial exception. We have persons charged for certain offences, including murder then bail may only be granted by the High Court. The recent trend is quite troubling, and seems to require a proactive approach in the fight against crime. Consequently, the police force has recommended that the Bail Act be amended to tighten the framework and to address persons charged with capital offences involving firearms under a different scheme, rather than the granting of bail.”

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Crime/Justice, Local news, News

FOUR CHARGED FOR OBTAINING MONEY BY FALSE PRETENSES

Published 11 May 2017

FOUR CHARGED FOR OBTAINING MONEY BY FALSE PRETENSES

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 11, 2017(RSCNPF) An ongoing investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force into a case of fraud against the Government has resulted in charges for four (4) persons.

Charged are Ivas Burnham of Middle Island, Lescelia Francis of Lamberts, Lynette Warner of Conyers and Lejon Warner of Conyers.

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Crime/Justice, Local news, News

Shooting at the Bus & Ferry Terminal

Published 11 May 2017

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 11, 2017 (RSCNPF): Police is investigating a shooting incident which occurred sometime after 4.00pm on Thursday (May 11) on the Bay Road.

Initial investigations reveal that one person received a gunshot injury to the ankle.  The victim was taken to the Joseph N. France General Hospital for treatment.

Officers from Basseterre Police Station, the Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) and the Special Services Unit (SSU) responded.  Technicians from the Forensics Services Unit canvassed the scene and collected items of evidential value.

We urge anyone who may have information with regards to this incident to come forward.  You can do so anonymously by calling any station, Crime Stoppers or by using the SKN Crime Reporter App on your Smartphone.

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Crime/Justice, Local news, News

GOVERNMENT PLANS TO STRENGTHEN PRISON REHABILITATION PROGRAMME

https://sknis.kn/government-plans-to-strengthen-prison-rehabilitation-programme/ #

Published 10 May 2017

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 10, 2017 (SKNIS): Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris and Minister of Gender Affairs and Social Services, Honourable Wendy Phipps, have revealed the government’s plans to strengthen the ongoing rehabilitation programme for those incarcerated at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) during the Prime Minister’s monthly press conference on May 10, 2017.

Prime Minister Harris stated that the government is in the process of recruiting an individual with interests and knowledge in forensic psychology to work with residents at the prison.

Minister Phipps said that over the years a number of persons in the public “who are civic minded” have been contributing to the rehabilitation of prisoners from an educational standpoint, that is, getting them ready to join the workforce after their period of incarceration has ended.

“What the Department of Gender Affairs and Social Services is now doing, in part with Junie Hodge, Superintendent of Prisons, is in terms of a more structured buildout when it comes to educational development of the inmates,” she said.

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