…says justice system has failed her
The Corentyne, Berbice woman who had a near-death experience when her ex-husband tried to kill her is urging Police to catch her assailant before he finds her.
In an interview with Guyana Times on Friday, Owamawattie Alvin admitted being fearful for her life.
Owamawattie Alvin
According to the 47-year-old, she was attacked on Wednesday evening when her ex-husband allegedly tried to kill her using a knife, a piece of wood, and a broken glass. She is seeking to relocate somewhere outside of Berbice until the perpetrator is apprehended. She told this publication she cannot not remain in Berbice while her ex-husband, Lionel Thomas, 62, of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, remains on the run.
“He can be anywhere, and come from behind and kill me; because it seems that is his intention.”
However, even as she is calling on the Police to capture the man, she is questioning the seriousness of officers at the Whim Police Station to fight domestic violence.
“When we go at the station, the station was full with Police; was about 15 of them there, and when we go in the station, they all left, and only one Constable remain.”
Alvin had gone to the Whim Police Station on Wednesday evening covered in blood and wearing torn clothing. She was accompanied by her pregnant 17-year-old daughter, who was also bleeding.
“I sit down there about 45 minutes, and then the OC [Officer-in-Charge] come, and when I tell him what happen, he call back the patrol and start to quarrel with them, and he tell them that they should have carried me to the hospital; and he tell a CID [Criminal Investigation Officer] officer to leave what he doing and take me to the hospital,” Alvin related.
Thomas and the mother of four had been together for 28 years. Two years ago, Alvin walked away from the abusive relationship.
“He want me find everything fuh he and he always beating me up. One time he chop me on me hand, so I decide to end the relationship; but he ain’t want done de abuse,” the woman said.
According to Alvin, the justice system does not seem to be working, and based on her experience, she has little confidence in the system.
According to Alvin, both she and Thomas are before the court on two separate matters. Both, she said, are in relation to threats to her life.
“The magistrate put him on a bond, and he always breaking the bond and threatening to kill me. When he go back, the magistrate put him on $20,000 bail,” she detailed.
The woman said that on Monday Thomas was arrested after chasing her with a cutlass at Port Mourant on Saturday, and was expected to be taken to court on Thursday. However, he was released from the Rose Hall Town Police Outpost on Wednesday.
It is believed that after Thomas was released from Police custody, he went to Alvin’s home and tried to kill her. The woman was able to escape with the help of her pregnant daughter. However, hours later, flames were seen coming from the Lot 192 Area ‘R’ Ankerville Port Mourant building. The building was reduced to rubble. (Andrew Carmichael)
