Security guard pleads guilty to wounding

A dispute between two senior men from the Stockfarm area landed before the court as fifty-year-old Christopher Egbert Weekes appeared at the Roseau District Magistrate’s Court, pleading guilty to wounding. On Sunday, August 11, Virtual Complainant (VC) Michael Andre met his colleague Weekes at approximately 9:00 AM at the Stockfarm playing field, where they are both employed. Andre, who is responsible for ground sanitation at the field, reported to the police that he and Weekes, who is employed as a security officer, had a verbal exchange that resulted in Weekes throwing a bottle at him. Medical documents presented to Senior Magistrate Hansel Valerie indicated that the VC sustained damage to his left eye.

By Thursday, August 15, Weekes was confronted by the police. Following his confession to throwing the bottle at Andre, he denied having any ill intentions, stating, “I didn’t send the bottle to hit him.” He was arrested on suspicion of wounding. At Police Headquarters, Weekes was charged with the offense of wounding after a complete interview with the police and was released on his own recognizance.

Before the court on Tuesday, August 27, Senior Magistrate Valerie expressed sincere disappointment in the matter, warning Weekes of the maximum sentence of five years for wounding. “I have read the notes of the interview between yourself and the officer, as well as the facts. The more I hear of this matter, the more I am dumbfounded. This was senseless and unnecessary.” Addressing the two men, he continued, “Moreover, given your ages, you are two fully grown men behaving totally out of control.”

Weekes defended his actions by claiming that he was provoked, stating that Andre had used uncouth language that triggered his violent response. Weekes’ account angered Andre in the courtroom, prompting him to interrupt the proceedings by exclaiming, “You lie! You’re guilty and still lying!” This resulted in him being escorted from the courtroom by police.

Magistrate Valerie cautioned the defendant, saying, “You allowed yourself to be distracted and felt so provoked that you are now in a courtroom answering to a charge of wounding.” Weekes began to apologize, then remarked that the VC’s behavior was not normal. “I’m sorry for what I did, but that wasn’t normal of him. I know him; we went to school together and work together. I had no intention to harm him.”

Ahead of sentencing, Weekes, who was once again reminded of the maximum sentence, suddenly began showing signs of physical weakness and was offered a seat and a glass of water while on the stand. Magistrate Valerie warned him to, “stay away from Michael. If you see him on the grounds, go far away so he will not provoke you.” Considering his age and signs of remorse, instead of imprisonment, Weekes was fined $1,000 to be paid by November 30, 2024, with a default of three months in state prison. He was also ordered to compensate Michael Andre in the amount of $500 by January 30, 2025, with a default of two months imprisonment.