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‘The police dropped the ball on me’ – Lucinda Gordon

- woman who lost hand via Domestic Violence vows to document story
Lucinda Gordon, who suffered a vicious cutlass attack by her estranged lover in November 2016, has accused the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) of not taking her reports of domestic abuse seriously. Photo: Provided
Renold L. Peters of St Vincent and the Grenadines allegedly committed suicide after a vicious cutlass attack on Lucinda Gordon on November 28, 2016. Photo: Provided
Renold L. Peters of St Vincent and the Grenadines allegedly committed suicide after a vicious cutlass attack on Lucinda Gordon on November 28, 2016. Photo: Provided
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI - With her hand severed from the wrist and multiple scars about her head and other parts of her body, Ms Lucinda Gordon is, nevertheless, grateful to be alive and vows to write a book, drive a car again, and to be back in her classroom as a teacher.

“I have vowed that nothing and no one is going to stop me from moving forward and being who I am. I plan to write a book about all of this because I have much to say” said Ms Gordon, who miraculously survived a vicious attack by her estranged lover, Renold L. Peters, who had chopped her up and left her to die before he allegedly took his own life back in November of 2016.

Ms Gordon related that she had suffered at the hands, mouth, hammer and finally cutlass. However, all along she was not silent and took her matters to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, often making reports to the East End Police Station.

Today, female police offers attached to that station cannot look her in her face as, according to Ms Gordon, "They didn't see me as someone who needed help. They dropped the ball on me..... They looked away when they saw me coming."

The judicial system/process also didn't come through in time for her as while legal documents were being processed in the courts of law to be served on her abuser, he moved ahead of them in an attempt to kill her because she was no longer going to put up with his alleged abusive acts.

Relationship gets dangerous

Ms Gordon told her story yet another time at the ‘Stiletto Walk - walk a mile in her shoes’,  which was designed to raise awareness of domestic violence in the Territory. This was at Captain Mulligans Bar and Restaurant on June 28, 2017 organised by WinBVI, in collaboration with the Family Support Network (FSN).

Ms Gordon said her relationship over five years went downhill when her partner began to abuse her verbally and mentally, which she eventually got tired of.

"As time went by, I decided that I couldn’t put up with this type of relationship and behavior that he showed anymore. I was his enabler; he was able to go out and drink because I was always there to go out and bring him back home. I felt like a mother hen. I felt tired.”

She said she related to the man that she was no longer prepared to continue in the situation and wanted him out of her life. He then became abusive, first by slashing the tires of her vehicle, which was reported to police, yet the following day he allegedly slashed two others.

One day she said she came home to find her house open and the accused lying in her bed. This was after she had already given him the marching orders and had put out his belongings.

“I woke him up. I had packed up his stuff in a shed. I told him, instead of looking the way you are, let me give you your stuff so you can take them with you. I allowed him to put the items in my truck. He was getting in the back and I told him to get in the front; I never had any reason to fear him because there was never any physical anything in our relationship in that five years.”

It was at that stage he offered her a gift of a gold item, to which she replied, “Of the last five years when we’ve been together, you don’t know gold is not my thing? I’m a silver woman.” She said that was the last thing she remembered.

She said her response threw him in a rage and he hit her in her head with a hammer, which caused her to drive off the road and over a cliff.

She survived but life was nothing close to normal thereafter for her.

“Many times before I would see tracks around my house, so I knew he was stalking me. I bought a taser light so I can see and a taser so I can protect myself, and under my bed I had a knife, a bat; I was ready because I realised the police weren’t there for me, so I had to do it for myself, but unfortunately I didn’t get to use any of those things. No one was listening to me.”

That fateful night

On the night of November 28, 2016 a man jumped out of the bushes with a cutlass and viciously attacked Gordon, chopping to kill.

“He held that cutlass high over his head and I said...he sharpened it for me. The light reflected on it, it was sharp," Gordon said.

“I backed up and I yelled for help. I fought; that night I fought. He chopped and he chopped, and I yelled and I fought, and then I fell. I told myself to stay there and pretend I was dead, because if I didn’t, he would continue to chop. And as I laid there, he chopped me one more time and I did not make a sound.”

Once her attacker left the scene, the injured woman managed to crawl to a place where she could have been seen and eventually passersby rescued her.

Today, as an even stronger advocate against Domestic Violence, Ms Gordon appeals to both men and women to get help early if in an abusive relationship.

Hopefully the powers that be would not drop the ball on them too.

20 Responses to “‘The police dropped the ball on me’ – Lucinda Gordon”

  • vex (03/07/2017, 09:00) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    So sad just to watch her hands
  • chad (03/07/2017, 09:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    God is so Good Praise the almighty that your still alive...i hope this will open up to alot of ladies life. may you continue to stay bless.
  • gkefkkdakxq (03/07/2017, 09:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a no win situation may boyz
  • Man Against D.V. (03/07/2017, 11:08) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Strong woman.. We should all figjht agsinst Domestic Violence Women/men..the first time it happens..get out!! Do not sit around and hope it will go away infact know the back ground of your would be spouse...and his family back ground. If his father was an abuser it likely they would abuse...likely not definitely but it good to know.Ms Gordon? TURN THIS ACT INTO SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP OTHERS. STAY STRONG!!!!
  • 911 (03/07/2017, 12:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Crime goes up, pupil achievement goes down
    • Blessed (27/10/2017, 17:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It doesn't matter the profession. sis some people feel good about themselves through others misery and misfortune...keep praying for the wicked...cause Jah sees and know. everything...u was always the victim and now victorious...continue doing Jah work
  • qc (03/07/2017, 12:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is the most unjust thing of all for her to almost loose her life and her arm
  • Sandra (03/07/2017, 13:20) Like (2) Dislike (37) Reply
    a quart has 2 sides who knows what have been going on to the man for years men have feelings too
    • Tianna (03/07/2017, 17:45) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
      Are you an idiot? A woman is there with her hand missing, chopped right up and the only foolish comment you can make is that men have feelings? What is your point? Because men have feelings, he automatically has the right to chop a woman in an attempt to kill her? No? Then why make such a stupid comment under an article like this?

      There is NO EXCUSE for him hiding in the bushes with a sharpened cutlass and slicing up a woman because she left his abuse and wanted to move on with her life. Stop making excuses for murderous, abusive men. People, idiotic people, like YOU, are the reason men like this feel comfortable to kill. Cause they know some clown will always make excuses for them, talking about "two sides".
      • wet (03/07/2017, 23:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        How about a real plan rather than the blogss so bombast.
        • Blogs (28/10/2017, 00:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Ms Gordon...I think the Blogs are a great start for starting writing your best seller
    • Pax (04/07/2017, 12:50) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      I dont care if she slept with his best friend or his brother, there is no provocation which entitles one person to attempt to murder another. sandra you need to learn some self-respect if you think this way, you will be next.
  • Lord o (03/07/2017, 13:53) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Doesn't the Police have a Domestic violence unit?/ if not they need one...This is not the end of these kind of situation....This is a sober and serious warning to all of us....This is no Joke, Police need to take these domestic reports from men and women very seriously
  • @ Sandra (03/07/2017, 16:46) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This place is full of Sandra's, so if you are so keen on putting "your" name to your comment, go all the way and identify yourself by your last name as well...unless you are a Sandra imposter. I would have liked your comment if you had guts enough to be real.
  • foreign (03/07/2017, 21:36) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I too have been in an abusive relationship and thank God that i am out on my own and is doing well. To all those who is trapped and cannot get out i urge you to pray yourself out. People will talk but time heals wounds.
  • Xxx (03/07/2017, 23:35) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    What’s happening to the BVI and police justice system. All I can say is it’s in a bad shape!
  • ................ (04/07/2017, 11:16) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well, the only good part to this story is that he won't be abusing anyone else....
  • trrefdrfds (04/07/2017, 14:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ladies, we believe that if we do enough, or love them enough we can change them or perhaps you do it because of the kids, but from experience I can tell you, you are better than that, you deserve better. Sometimes we have self esteem issues and because of the verbal abuse we believe that no one else wants us, I can tell you today, if you leave and you trust in God you would see the possibilities, love yourself and decide to put yourself first. YOU DONT HAVE TO STAY IN IT. You don't have a problem, they do.


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