Man dies after beating

A scrap metal collector who was struck on the head with a blunt object during a dispute with three men last Monday, has succumbed to his injuries at the Intensive Care Unit of the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. Stephen Moore, 30, of Avocado Street, Stellar Boulevard, Rancho Quemado, died at around 3.30 am yesterday, three days after he was beaten close to his home. 

Investigators said at around 8.30 am on Monday, Moore was picking up scrap metal for sale when he got into a dispute with some men at Rancho Quemado. It is alleged that the men picked up  pieces of wood and began beating Moore until he fell unconscious. He was taken by ambulance to the Point Fortin Area Hospital then transferred to the San Fernando General Hospital. Police said Moore’s condition deteriorated on Wednesday and he was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he later died. A team of officers led by Supt Sampath and including Insp Seedarie and Sgt Ganga went to Santa Flora yesterday and interviewed several witnesses. 

Police said Moore made a living by selling scrap iron to dealers. He would spend most of his time combing the streets and often he would pick up items from around people’s homes. Police said it was possible that this could have triggered the beating. An autopsy is expected to be done on Moore’s body at the Forensic Science Centre. Anyone with information on Moore’s death can contact the Santa Flora police at 649-5000. Sgt Ganga is continuing investigations.