Four persons appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle in the 8th Court Port of Spain on Tuesday, December 5 charged in connection with the escape of Vicky Nirupa Boodram from the Women’s Prison, Golden Grove, Arouca on Monday 27th November, 20 17.
They are No. 16314 PC LeVon Sylvester, No. 7866 WPC Lisa Navarro, Roxanne Cudjoe and Boodram. Sylvester and Navarro are charged with misbehavior in public office and are also jointly charged with Boodram with dishonestly and fraudulently aiding the procurement of Boodram who was then a person remanded in the lawful custody of the state at the time Golden Grove Prison Arouca, in escaping from the said state prison contrary to common law.
The officers were granted bail in the sum of $300,000 each, to be approved by a clerk of the peace, whilst Boodram was denied bail. The matter was later transferred to the Arima Magistrate's Court to be heard on December 13th , 20 17.
The fourth accused, Roxanne Cudjoe is charged with harbouring of a prisoner; and she was remanded in custody to appear before a Siparia Magistrate tomorrow, Wednesday 6th December, 2017.
Inspector Sheridon Hill of the Professional Standards Bureau laid the charges against Sylvester, Navarro and Boodram while Cpl. (Ag.) Lawrence Joefield charged Cudjoe.
The two officers have effectively been suspended from duty pending the outcome of their matters. Director of Public Prosecution s, Roger Gaspard SC., was consulted on the charges.
Boodram,35, who is on 175 fraud related charges, was recaptured on Thursday 30th November, 2017, after being found by police hiding out at a house at Latchoos Road, Penal, at around 6:40pm. A woman said to be harbouring Boodram at the time was also taken into custody.
A nationwide search had been mounted for Boodram when her unauthorized release from prisonwas discovered and the Commissioner of Police had ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the release.
