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UPDATE: Homeless man in slapping incident charged & released

- to face Magistrate’s court at a date to be announced
BACK IN BUSINESS: Sonnel G. Hanley poses with his choice of beverage alongside a car he had just finished washing. Photo: VINO
A resident at the community meeting in Cane Garden Bay on March 25, 2013 lets his concerns heard. Photo: VINO
A resident at the community meeting in Cane Garden Bay on March 25, 2013 lets his concerns heard. Photo: VINO
Persons took the opportunity to have a one-on-one with the Ministers of Government present at the community meeting in Cane Garden Bay. Here a resident interacts with Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton. Photo: VINO
Persons took the opportunity to have a one-on-one with the Ministers of Government present at the community meeting in Cane Garden Bay. Here a resident interacts with Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton. Photo: VINO
The area where Sonnell Hanley, a homeless man said to be of 'unsound mind' allegedly dealt a woman several slaps while demanding money from her on March 25, 2013. The man was subsequently taken into custody, charged and released, according to the RVIPF. Photo: VINO/File
The area where Sonnell Hanley, a homeless man said to be of 'unsound mind' allegedly dealt a woman several slaps while demanding money from her on March 25, 2013. The man was subsequently taken into custody, charged and released, according to the RVIPF. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Police have confirmed that Sonnel G. Hanley, the homeless man accused of being involved in an alleged incident of assault in the vicinity of Bobby’s Supermarket, has been charged and released on his own recognisance.

Hanley was charged with common assault and released on March 27, 2013 following his arrest two days earlier for being involved in an incident where a Spanish speaking woman was allegedly slapped in an ‘unprovoked’ incident near Bobby’s supermarket.

Speaking with this news site, Sgt Carl Mason of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) said that, “[Hanley] was charged with common assault and he will be appearing in court at a date to be set.”

When asked how he would be summoned to court given the fact that he had no fixed place of abode, Sgt Mason said he had no idea how this would be done. “The problem we have,” Sgt Mason said, “is we can’t keep him for more than 24 hours in custody so we have to let him go.”

Though he expressed an awareness of questions surrounding Hanley’s mental state, Sgt Mason could not offer a comment on whether any psychiatric evaluation was done on the man while he was being detained.

See previous story posted March 27, 2013:

UPDATE: 'Slapping of woman' highlighted as 'serious' at CGB meeting

-Adina Donovan home air-marked as psychiatric facility

CANE GARDEN BAY, Tortola, VI – Persons attending the community meeting at the Cane Garden Bay Community Centre on March 25, 2013 expressed disgust and serious concerns about the growing population of homeless persons in the Virgin Islands as they condemned the recent attack on a woman by a man said to be of unsound mind.

This incident was first and accurately reported by Virgin Islands News Online on March 25, 2013 and was later confirmed by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) who said the man was taken into custody.

“Eggie, what are we doing about people like eggie just look how he slap up that Spanish woman until her face was swollen. We got to address the issue of these, people, because everyday it’s getting worse,” said a concerned resident at the Cane Garden Bay leg of the Premier’s ‘On the Road’ community meeting. His statement was obviously supported by many others at the meeting as the room went up with supportive cheers and remarks.

This concern was responded to by Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton who said Government has its eye on the existing Adina Donovan Home as a possible facility to house persons of unsound mind. He told residents that while finances are a matter of concern, Government intends to convert the building into a psychiatric home. This would be after the seniors’ resident would have been relocated to the new facility that is presently under construction at Spooner's Estate.

“We are living in some difficult times when money is becoming difficult and our systems, our economical systems that we have are constantly under threat so we have to be prudent and careful in how we go about doing some of these things. But we are hoping, and it is our plan, that before our term is up, the old Adina Donovan’s home will be turned into a psychiatric hospital for people who are mentally challenged,” said Hon. Skelton.

The resident suggested, “Supposed he had killed that little Spanish girl? What would have happened there? That is just one of the things I am concerned about,” said the resident.

Derelict vehicles

It was the same resident who spoke passionately about the need to rid the Territory, especially the East End area, of derelict vehicles. He singled out East End since, according to him, it’s the first place that persons see on arriving in the Territory via the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport.

“I think that’s what we should consider talking about, making the place clean. As Ministers I am charging you to put this on your mandatory list, not just the health insurance but put the priority on the country and making it clean.” He added, “I think if you have a clean community we’ll have less insurance to worry about.”

Hon. Skelton said Government has engaged the services of one Mr Cliff Williams to crush derelict vehicles in a bid to riding the country of such. “It is our job at the Ministry of Health to get rid of these things.”

See previous article posted on March 25, 2013

UPDATE: Homeless man arrested in assault incident

- accused of slapping female when she allegedly refused to buy him a drink

Police have confirmed that a suspect has been arrested and is awaiting charges in the alleged assault matter that occurred earlier today, March 25, 2013 in the vicinity of Bobby's Supermarket.

According to a release sent by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), Officers were actually on their way to the scene of the report and met a male answering the description of the alleged offender nearby.

The release further stated that the male, a local homeless individual who is known to Officers, was immediately arrested and removed to Road Town Police Station where he currently awaits charges.

Other Officers then made their way to the victim and took her promptly to hospital for treatment. Officers will be interviewing and offering support to the victim; the alleged offender remains in custody.

See previous story posted March 25, 2013:

Woman reportedly assaulted by homeless man outside of Bobby’s

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Several sources have confirmed being witness to a woman being attacked by a homeless man outside of Bobby’s Supermarket in Road Town earlier today, March 25, 2013.

One witness, Mr Steve Parillon, said he was in the vicinity when he heard what appeared to be the sound of a slap that grabbed his attention. “When I got to the scene,” Parillon said, “the woman was there crying, holding her face so I called 911…”

Parillon further stated when he was directed to the Police and explained the situation, he was asked whether the victim was white or black and also whether it was a tourist who had been assaulted.

He related that he was disturbed by the line of questioning and wondered whether this was standard procedure.

Parillon expressed that it took a further half hour after he reported the matter before Police had finally arrived to investigate, by which time the homeless man had long made good his escape.

The woman was reportedly taken to Peebles Hospital for treatment.

According to another source who is a cashier and reportedly witnessed the entire event, she was with a customer at the time when she first heard the noise. “When I looked back, it’s this crazy guy, this insane guy…” the eyewitness said.

According to the eyewitness, the young lady was asked to buy the homeless man a bottle of water but kept walking along since she did not understand the man as she was Spanish speaking and couldn’t speak English too well. SHe also disclosed that there were three homeless men in the adjacent parking lot causing trouble on the previous day and her boss had reported them to no avail.

The man reportedly kept slapping the woman and even slapped her earring off during the process and caused her face to be swollen.

The alleged perpetrator is reported to be a repeat offender of such incidents and has been reported previously, according to sources.

Ag. Public Relations Officer Sgt Carl Mason of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force could not be reached up to post  time for information on the matter.

51 Responses to “UPDATE: Homeless man in slapping incident charged & released ”

  • roots ire (25/03/2013, 13:10) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    If people start walking with weapon for dis so call mad piece of s,,.t you will see how quick the popo will reach on the scene if he get what he is looking for. Yall give discription of what this mad man look like he got to get fixed soon.
    and it seems like the popo care more about the popo. they were to treat this evenly as they would have a tourist. we in a sad state here boy...
  • stairs (25/03/2013, 13:17) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is wrong with this young man? I mean I know it seems he has some screws jingling but now it is like his elevator has turned into stairs.
  • vip (25/03/2013, 13:18) Like (1) Dislike (13) Reply
    NDP got the man stressed out
    • Mother earth (25/03/2013, 14:23) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      What the hell I am hearing here? They asked if the person is black or white? So you see even the police force is racist!!!
    • for real (25/03/2013, 16:00) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
      NDP got me stressed the hell out as much as the VIP. everywhere I tun tis stress in dis place!
    • just asking (25/03/2013, 17:53) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Sorry it is not you them stressing. you sound so foolish
  • Howard (25/03/2013, 13:30) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    These homeless men are just out of control. They do nothing but beg beg beg. Just seeing them upsets me to the core. Had they been elsewhere they would have been found in dumbster somewhere or probably not at all. Something needs to be done about these trash who are nothing but menaces to society.
  • Is who you is (25/03/2013, 13:47) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Parilons' statements only highlight one of the bigger problems in the territory. The Police and authorities only help or care about problems as to who they relate to. What does whether the victim was white or black and also whether it was a tourist who had been assaulted matter? Shouldn't the police care more as to the problem than to who was assaulted? Maybe the police think the tourist pay there salaries and not the BVI treasury. This place is to corrupt.
  • Sick And Tired (25/03/2013, 13:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This crap is ongoing!! I think the police asked if its white or black is because a number of them assulting tourists. I dont like the line of questioning but I do know something needs to be done with these people once and for all!!
  • ... (25/03/2013, 13:56) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    oh lord what going on mehson?
  • up-town (25/03/2013, 13:58) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    sonnel want to go jail for the free food but hope he get clearn up.....
  • Byras (25/03/2013, 14:08) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply

    I PRINT MY NAME SO AYO CAN SEE WHO POST THIS COMMENT.WHY THE @#$%^ SONNEL SONT COME SLAP ME WHEN I DONT GIVE HIM MONEY! I BET ILL BE THE LAST PERSON HE SLAP! A HOG KNOW WHERE TO ROOT HIS MOUTH!!

    • MzSunshine (25/03/2013, 15:31) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      there is nothing wrong with Sonnel!! laziness is what have him in the position that he is in!!! SMH!! all sonnel want to do is go up Balo where he could get 3 square meals a day.
      • FuneralBoy (28/03/2013, 11:59) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
        Nobody aint fraid of you... So print your name, and write in all Caps, as if you doing something. Go get a life, you are just as dead as those you work with lol.
  • mother hen (25/03/2013, 14:37) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    More pain and agony coming with the lack of good police protection..where are the uk officers???.

    • ndp (25/03/2013, 15:51) Like (1) Dislike (18) Reply
      Put the bum in to sit down by Ronnie as he aitn doing a dam ting for the sick homeless people!!!
    • police (25/03/2013, 16:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      U GOT TO BE AN A$$ U REALY THINK THEM WHITE BOY GOING APPROACH THAT YOUNG MAN IS WE THEY GOING PUT UP FRONT TO TAKE THE HIT
  • wrong story (25/03/2013, 14:38) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why this story become about race or tourism? Lets deal with real issue - bums causing trouble. Take them to remote island and let them beg there.
  • cat (25/03/2013, 14:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is the kind of nonsense that i just cant stand. Someone call the police and makes a report about someone being assulted and all they care about is if the person is black or white or if the person is a tourist ? The point is someone needs the police assitance, look how long it took them to get to where this happened. what if it was much worst ? Yet people wonder why people take the law into their own hands, if the people who suppose to protect us dont give a damn then we have to protect ourselves.
  • ooooo (25/03/2013, 15:46) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    yellow is a next one who always harrassing the tourist...her brother should be ashame of himself because he is the bigger for the tourist board
    • Inez (25/03/2013, 22:15) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yellow go from East to West to beg. I see her walking with her breasts exposed and cursing like a loon. She will ask you 5 times for money after you told her "NO". If any of these crazy people always harassing people for years, put their hands on me you will then see the fury of a crazy black woman. I work hard and refuse to give them my little hourly pay!
    • Realist (29/03/2013, 19:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I here saying the same thing!
  • zoe (25/03/2013, 15:48) Like (0) Dislike (12) Reply
    Another clear sign that the police force under the UK officers and Morris the question is asked; are you black or white!!! Backwards ever and this the man he partner William pushing for top job in we country...Lawd ah Mussy
  • willy wonka (25/03/2013, 16:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This guy well insist you give him money. If not he may try tackle you. He was up balo come bk down. His family cant take care of him, Govt neglecting mental health ppl. Its a issue need to be taking serious. He hit somone already.
  • mary j (25/03/2013, 16:26) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sandy Lane could only do so much, where are the families
  • Mick Mars (25/03/2013, 16:58) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
    This fool ain't mentally challenged at all. He's just plain out lazy. He doesn't ask you for money, he damn near demands it. And he's been in this situation, MORE. THAN. ONCE. If he doesn't get proper jail time for being a repeat offender to the public like this, I think it's open game for anyone to assault HIM whenever he tries to accost them again.

    I've a storied history with this clown, from the time we was in school together to when he first set out on this path he so brazenly on now. He attacks people who he know aren't going to do him any harm. Women, meek tourists and smaller guys. He got enough sense to not slap off any of the bulging Mr Olympia looking muscle dudes, white or black coming off them cruise ships or any of the sturdy dudes that does roll off 'em either. He'd quicker slap a pensioner or your stereotypical 'whitebread' looking guy who ain't prone to violence.

    He was at sandy lane for 2 days before he left on his own and as you can see he only looking this sort of attention to go back up the jail for food. But mark my words, one day he going hit the wrong person and on that day he going to get the full blow he deserved 10fold. I hope it ain't me. I don't think I'd be able to properly restrain myself in the heat of the moment from seriously damaging this repeat offending fool. Ya'll be safe, please, cuz the government ain't studying we wid him.
  • yes do it! (25/03/2013, 19:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lock him up and throgh away the key
  • hold up (26/03/2013, 01:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    “troubling"
  • Lee (27/03/2013, 09:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have a suggestion, maybe the Minister for Health and Social development along with these mentally challenge persons familes can contribute and send these persons for treatment off island. For example St Lucia has a big hospital catering for mental patients only so this is one option and I am sure there are other countries within the Caribbean that have the facilities.
    • Very True (30/03/2013, 07:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Lee Im glad to see someone asking the obvious question. My family asked the only Psychiatrist in this country to refer our family member and we are going to cover all cost. The Mental health department is yet to give any information but yet they are telling you it is possible to do this. The problem is greater than you think. Most of these people have inaccurate diagnosis and they are trying to cover that up because most of them can really be helped but it will expose the fact that they dont know what they are doing.
  • eggie (27/03/2013, 12:58) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    it wasn't me who slap that girl it was sonnel hanley
  • ndp waste (27/03/2013, 13:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's funny NDP finding money to do a lot of things ....for instance to go green putting up led lights .......led lights is not important right now......the VI people are......that same homeless fellow hit a tourist several months back....and was sentenced to prision for a couple of months........the government bit VIP and NDP has failed when it comes to homeless persons and until something serious happens then.they will act.
  • one eye (27/03/2013, 13:14) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    look a that waste ah time Ronnie wid he foot up
  • FYI (27/03/2013, 15:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    JUST FOR CLARITY, ITS NOT EGGIE WHO SLAP THE WOMAN, ITS SONNEL!
  • vv (27/03/2013, 16:20) Like (2) Dislike (12) Reply
    but al aint punch a women in cane garden bay?
  • UK student (27/03/2013, 16:26) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    the last 15 months have been a perfect advertisement for direct rule...... when will we admit that b v islnsders do not have ability to run their own affairs?

  • . (27/03/2013, 16:36) Like (4) Dislike (26) Reply
    How them aint mention the slap that that big NDP follower (henly who suppose to be deputy for the ports )did to the tourist?
    • Not the same (27/03/2013, 19:52) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      That's an entirely different situation. The two had an altercation and end up with one on the floor. The Spanish lady was attack.
    • @ . (28/03/2013, 01:10) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      get official corroboration of the information now in the public domain before making any determination or pronouncement".

    • . (29/03/2013, 18:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Sorry but in that case that woman had need slapping, badly. Try that ish again and I hope she get the same and more.
  • support (27/03/2013, 20:44) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    They government have a tough and mostly thankless job and the more support and encouragement they're given, the better.

    • . (29/03/2013, 18:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thankless??? Are you sure? Have you seen what these guys bank at the end of the week? Have you seen what they drive???

      I am afraid the days of politicians doing thankless work for the good of their country and countrymen are longggg gone. These days, they in it for the "thanks" they get, and they get plenty!
  • Everest (28/03/2013, 12:12) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    I believe that it is high time that we adapt the legislation that is already in existence within our fellow British Overseas Territories. Did you know that in the Cayman Islands, it is illegal to have persons living on the street? Whether they are at the brunt of these tough economical times, or of untreated mental malignancy. I believe that it is time that we started taking care of our own problems, rather than burdening our Government to have to "Clean up our own backyard." Where are these peoples' family? Same can be applied to the derelict vehicles that degrade our country. Don't we take vehicle serial numbers at the DMV? Remove the vehicle, YES! But trace the owner, and send them the Bill! Its high time we pay for actions man... These headlines are getting more ridiculous by the day!
  • HELP HELP HELP (29/03/2013, 13:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow another drunk seeking help?
  • The POLICE (29/03/2013, 14:21) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Before some blogger come on these blogs and express their ignorance they first should know what they are talking about. The call was made to 911 POLICE do don't answer 911. It's the fire station that answer 911 get your facts.
  • Yes (29/03/2013, 14:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    sonnel have rum in his hand drinkin on the road on good friday....hmmm..
    • @ lol (29/03/2013, 18:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      WOOOOOOOOOOeeeeeeeeeeee, wow... mi belly!!! have mercy !! wooooooooooooeeeeeeeee if a laugh a pop up !!!!.

  • problem (30/03/2013, 07:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    one of them wanted to stab me with a pen one time after begging me and i told him no, I know i would of mash his a#& up if he had tried that stunt. I know is a world wide problem but some kind of shelter needs to be put in place cuz I think we don't have a mayor problem here unlike most other countries.
  • huh (31/03/2013, 08:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    The families of the homeless people don't look like they care about them so line them all up and shoo.. them

    • W*F (31/03/2013, 19:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @huh. Who you want us shoot? The family of the homeless or the homeless?


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