Accused placed on probation
By Samantha Alleyne
The 15-year-old lad who last week pleaded guilty to setting fire to Queen's College on November 16, was yesterday released into his parents' custody and placed on two years probation, during which time he must visit a probation officer monthly. Acting Chief Magistrate, Paul Fung-A-Fat, also ordered that his parents pay $5 million to the Queen's College Restoration Fund at the rate of $1 million a year. He told them that in default of this order they would have to spend nine months in jail. However, he said, if they experienced difficulties in making the payments, they could return to him and he would consider further adjustments. Fung-A-Fat ordered, too, that the parents and child submit themselves to counselling. "What should we do with him? was the question Fung-A-Fat asked yesterday, as he deliberated for more than an hour in his chambers on what would be the fate of the juvenile. The youth who was yesterday, dressed in khaki pants and a cream shirt was in the company of both of his parents. According to the probation report, by Probation and Family Life Officer, Pooneet Persaud, the boy, who is now 15 years, three months old witnessed an accident that left his older brother confined to bed. Investigations revealed that following the November 16, fire, the juvenile and his parents saw psychiatrist, Frank Beckles and psychologist, Gloria Gary for appropriate help. A visit made to the home by Persaud disclosed that the youth is a talented pianist. He reads music fluently and plays the piano while he sings. Persaud stated that a school report received from QC describes the youth as a student of above average intelligence, but one who does not apply himself studiously. The report also stated that the lad is rebellious and when reprimanded he disturbs the class with pranks. It was also noted that although the 15-year-old is regular in attendance he is late on most occasions. Teachers and students are said to feel threatened by the juvenile and it was therefore the consensus that he be expelled from the school. The probation report also suggested that both of the child's parents should submit themselves to appropriate counselling so that the psycho-social atmosphere of the home could be amended positively to induce and encourage healthy mental attitudes for all of its occupants. In conclusion, the probation report recommended that the 15-year-old be placed under statutory supervision (probation) for a period of three years. It was further suggested that in view of the child's competence and skill in the music field he should impart his talent to the less fortunate, especially at male orphanages in the community. After hearing the probation report, the father of the child said that he was not opposed to morals but tried to make his son tough since he would go home crying if someone hit him in school. Attorney-at-law Dawn Holder-Alert, who appeared for the state hinted that the child should be sent to a reform school, because of the nature of the offence. She stated that since the home environment was not conducive the parents might not be able to raise a child with problems. Holder-Alert said that the parents of the juvenile should be made to pay a fine to Queen's College. A part-time QC Chemistry teacher, Elima Jordan, who taught the youth, also made her contribution yesterday. According to her, the child would find it difficult if he should continue to attend the same school. She said he would find it easier should he attend another school. Jordan also said that the child had the ability to learn fast, but his ability to sustain what he learnt was very low. She said that had to do with fact that the child is lacking in discipline. The mother of the 15-year-old, who had a book entitled "The Breaking of Curses", clenched in her hand, said she did not believe it was her son who burnt the school since the time did not correspond. According to her, the youth admitted he lit a fire but no one can say that that was the fire that burnt the school. She said when her son went home that afternoon he called another boy and told him that he had scorched the door of the headmistress's office. The mother claimed that since she had became a public figure, her phone had been bugged. She said someone must have heard when her son made the phone call and saw it as a good opportunity to make her look bad. Following all this the magistrate ruled that he would release the child into the parents' custody for two years, once he visits the probation officer monthly. Fung-A-Fat said that if there was any unfavourable report from the probation officer or if the child committed any subsequent offence, he would be sent to the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) for two years. The magistrate told the parents that he was giving their son a chance although many people might disagree. The 15-year-old QC student was charged, and subsequently pleaded guilty, following investigations into a fire that destroyed a major section of the over 150-year-old school. Damage to the building was estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars. 
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