Police were yesterday searching for a Diego Martin man who was recorded assaulting a young woman and ordering her to get dressed as her, “Seven days were done.”
In the 44-second video posted to social media, the young woman of African descent, who was clad in a pair of pink and black tights, and a bra alone, could be heard crying and begging the suspect to leave her as she did not want to go even as he slapped and punched her in the face and head.
The suspect, who is believed to be a graduate of the Diego Martin Police Youth Club, was heard telling the girl, “Yuh doh have no choice.”
The disturbing incident which was secretly recorded by an alleged friend of the suspect, was quickly circulated online and shared by hundreds via WhatsApp.
He was heard commenting in the background that the victim was, “Looking for she own bacchanal,” as the woman was repeatedly slapped and pulled by the hair.
When contacted yesterday morning acting Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin said officers received information about the suspect from the cybercrime unit.
He said he spoke with the Deputy Commissioner of Police from the Investigations and Intelligence Unit, Suzette Martin, who had passed the information along to the Special Victims Unit that deals with gender-based violence.
A senior police officer later confirmed that officers were aware of the suspect’s identity and had been hunting for him.
Meanwhile, scores of social media users on Facebook weighed in, with many suspecting this was not the first time the suspect had abused the young woman, while others condemned the violent display.
Sarojanie Joseph wrote, “Hmmm these children doh hear nah. You can talk all you want. They love gangster man.”
Lois Callender countered, “I don’t care if she left her mother’s good house to go look for man, or is gangster man she likes, whatever you guys think it is ... THIS IS VERY DISTRESSING TO WATCH. Hope the authorities get involved with or without her consent!”
Deejayboots George cautioned others not to feel sorry for the suspect as, “This is why when you see or hear them pick up corn don’t be sorry for them nah ... Not my daughter or my sister soldier and the man who recording, I hope you eh have sisters tuh tape this and eh try stop him. Or maybe you fraid you get hard slap too.”
Deryck Williams remarked, “And if anyone intervene the same girl will say ‘leave meh man alone’, and then people wonder why everyone does refuse to help. Makes you wonder if they like the beatings and abuse.”