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– Magistrates’ Association seeks urgent meeting with Rohee, Greene on security concerns
– vows to take matter to another level should its concerns remain unaddressed
 Magistrate Nigel Hawke | |
He told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that they were in the upper flat of the building when, about 12:30 h, he went to the washroom and, minutes after, he saw the frightened woman escorted by a masked man with an AK-47 assault rifle.
Mr. Hawke said he was made to lie face down on the floor of the washroom and bound by the bandit who demanded that they hand over all their valuables while relieving him of his wedding band.
“I asked the robber to loosen my hands because the tie was too tight and I felt like if my blood was not flowing and the sheet covering my face was stifling me, so I requested he remove it also,” the victim said.
He said the robber heeded his request and even lifted him off the floor but he was still unsure of his fate.
The gunman asked Mrs. Hawke what work they do and began ransacking the place, taking a laptop computer, wrist watches, cellular phones, cash, jewels and a digital camera.
The magistrate said the intruder spent about 45 minutes in the house during the robbery and security is now their main concern, having endured such an ordeal.
Hawke, who sits in Georgetown and Providence Courts, said he believes the thief gained entry through an unlocked verandah door because there was no sign of a break-in, with the lower flat of the house being heavily grilled.
The gunman tied up his wife in a bedroom and made good his escape after taking the keys to downstairs, Hawke said, pointing out that it was she who managed to untie herself and him, before they summoned Police ranks who took fingerprints at the crime scene.
“I am truly tramautised by the robbery and my wife is feeling the same way. Magistrates get bashed all the time with no protection, which is a serious issue,” Hawke remarked.
He said Police Commissioner Henry Greene has since telephoned him and promised an armed guard from yesterday afternoon.
Hawke said he has been residing at Non Pariel for the past three and a half years and would not forget that first robbery.
A Police press release confirmed that it occurred about 00:30 h yesterday and investigations are continuing.
Meanwhile, following the shocking attack, an urgent meeting was called yesterday morning by the Magistrates’ Association of Guyana in Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson’s Chamber at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
A number of Magistrates attended the meeting along with a representative of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) ‘A’ Division, Ms. Maxine Graham.
After calling reporters inside her Chamber, Magistrate Robertson said no court on the West Bank Demerara and on the East Coast were being held yesterday because of the attacks that were carried out on their fellow Magistrate Mr. Nigel Hawke.
According to Magistrate Robertson, the meeting commenced at 10:00 h and dealt mainly with security issues at their individual homes.
The Chief Magistrate also mentioned that strong action will be taken by the Association if no word is received from the relevant authorities by 9:00 h today.
She lamented that the Association is “weary” of making complaints but nothing has so far been done for them as it relates to their security.
Magistrate Robertson said the Association was going to circulate a press release stating their position on the issue. She conducted court (Court One) as usual and the press statement was released yesterday afternoon. It states as follows:
“There is grave concern among all Magistrates at this time especially in light of repeated attempts for the authorities to address the burning issue of security for Magistrates vis-à-vis other judicial officers.
A detailed security memorandum was prepared by the Association since October 11, 2006 and sent to the Honourable Chancellor of the Judiciary and a copy was later forwarded to the Commissioner of Police. To date, no action has been taken with regards to any of the recommendations therein.
Magistrates at first instance deal with 90 per cent of the criminal proceedings and as a consequence, we are a constant target of criminal aggression. Magistrates, and in some instances members of their family have been threatened, abused and attacked in and out of the Court Room by criminal litigants and their associates. This must not be allowed to continue.
In the instant matter, magistrates have requested an urgent meeting with the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs and Commissioner of Police. We hope they would recognise the urgency of meeting with Magistrates to avert any hiccups in the administration of justice. Magistrates in all jurisdictions are resolved to take this matter to another level should our concerns remain unaddressed”. (Additional reporting by Telesha Persaud)
