Gory details of the criminal charges against a Penal man charged with the kidnapping of the Sooknanan family prompted a seasoned court prosecutor to become so emotional, she had to leave the courtroom.
The incident took place during the bail hearing for Akeem Kinsale on Monday.
Prosecutor Starr Jacob asked Senior Magistrate Margaret Alert, sitting in the Siparia Magistrates Court, to be excused from the court. Jacob had objected to Kinsale's bail application based on the seriousness of more than 20 offences he faced. A legal officer replaced Jacob during the hearing.
Kinsale, 25, of Sunrees Road, Penal was charged with kidnapping for ransom, Aaron Sooknanan, 28, his wife Paola Sanchez Sooknanan, 26, their children, Ricardo, five and Isabella, three, their cousin Roxanna Gonzales and another relative from the family’s home along the Penal Rock Road, Penal on November 30.
He was also charged with three offences of robbery with violence, six offences of demanding money by menace, possession of marijuana and four other serious offences. The charges were laid by Sgt Adesh Gokool of the Penal CID on Saturday following advice from Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard SC. Police are searching for other suspects involved in the crime.
The case was held in private. Members of the media and other people in the public seating area were asked to leave the courtroom. Kinsale was represented by criminal attorney Chantal Paul, who told the court that her client was a father of three children, ages four, one and a newborn.
Paul said he who had two pending matters: attempted murder, which is currently before the High Court and a firearm possession. He was convicted in the past for possession of marijuana. But in seeking bail, Paul said Kinsale had no convictions for any violent offence and was not a flight risk as he had no passport. She said that Kinsale was willing to report to a police station as a condition of his bail.
However, Jacob had objected to bail on account of the seriousness of the matter, saying that the penalties carry a significant prison sentence if he is found guilty. Following her breakdown, she was replaced by legal officer PC Sheldon Salazar. Alert acceded to the prosecution’s objection based on the seriousness of the offence and advised Kinsale to apply to a judge in chambers for bail. Paul then requested that the prosecution disclose all documents related to the identification of her client. The matter was adjourned to January 7, next year.
According to police, the Sooknanan family was kidnapped from their home on November 30 and was rescued the following day in the forest off Oropouche South Trace, Barrackpore. They were taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where they were treated and discharged.
No member of the family was present in court and they remain in a safe house under police guard.