Prison beating caused Dore to escape, court told

Olanzo Dore

Olanzo Dore, who escaped police custody on Virgin Gorda last week was today hauled before Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards, who heard that the offender fled because he was being beaten at Her Majesty’s Prison.

The 31-year-old native of St Kitts and resident of Virgin Gorda pleaded guilty to escaping lawful custody.

Dore’s attorney Valerie Stephens-Gordon told the court that her client only escaped because he was ‘scared for his life’.

The defence attorney however noted that she has informed Superintendent of Prisons David Foot about the reported ‘beatings’.

She said Superintendent Foot has promised to put measures in place to prevent any further incident.

According to Stephens-Gordon, Superintendent Foot also said he did not know about the alleged ‘beatings’.

Prison officer removes handcuff

The prosecution stated that, around 9:20am on April 29, Dore was transported from Her Majesty’s Prison on Tortola to the Magistrate’s Court on the island of Virgin Gorda.

After his court appearance, he was brought to the Virgin Gorda Police Station.

A police officer, as well as a prison officer, later escorted the offender to St Thomas Bay Jetty to board a ferry back to Tortola.

The two officers, along with Dore, were waiting in a parked vehicle for the ferry.

The prosecution reported that, while they waited, the prison officer removed the handcuffs from Dore, although the police officer had advised against such action.

Roughly five minutes later, Dore opened the vehicle door and said: “Boi Angie; I gone.”

He fled the area and remained on the run for days.

On May 1, Dore eventually showed up at the Virgin Gorda Police Station along with certain persons.

He told police during an interview that he was being beaten in prison, and he was afraid to return there.

Dore is scheduled to be sentenced this month.

Meanwhile, police reported late last year that Dore was held on a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

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