BVI News

Man arrested after assault video goes viral

The Virgin Gorda Police Station

A 30-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with an assault involving a minor after a video of the incident circulated widely on social media, generating public concern, police said.

The arrest followed investigations by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, which confirmed that the matter was reported on January 15 and treated with urgency by officers. According to a press release issued by the Police Information Office on Wednesday, one male has been charged as a result of the investigation.

Police identified the accused as Vidal Farrington, 30, of Valley, Virgin Gorda. He has been charged with Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm. Investigators said he was arrested and subsequently granted bail. Farrington is scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on March 26, 2026.

The incident attracted heightened attention after video footage of the alleged assault circulated online, prompting strong reactions from members of the public. Acting Commissioner of Police Richard Ullger acknowledged the concern generated by the footage and appealed for restraint as the legal process continues.

“We understand the level of concern this incident has generated within the community, particularly given the nature of the footage circulated,” Ullger stated. “While public reaction is understandable, I urge members of the public to allow the investigative and judicial processes to take their course. The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force remains committed to ensuring that matters of this nature are handled thoroughly, fairly, and in accordance with the law,” he added.

Police officials also cautioned against the continued sharing of violent or sensitive material online, especially when minors are involved. The force warned that such circulation may cause further trauma to victims and could potentially affect ongoing investigations.

In its statement, the police urged residents to report incidents directly to law enforcement rather than amplifying distressing content on social media platforms. The release noted that cooperation from the public remains critical to ensuring that investigations are conducted properly and that justice is allowed to take its course.

Police said persons with information relevant to any investigation can contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 or provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 800-8477, or 284-800-8477 from overseas.

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16 Comments

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  1. CASTRATE HIS ARZ says:

    We don’t want these kinds of animals to reproduce their kind in the bvi / whether family – friend or foe •

    Like 12
  2. okij says:

    that was a one sided fight. I liked it

    Like 1
    Dislike 14
  3. Hmmm says:

    Like father like son shameful

    Like 9
    Dislike 1
  4. Guys then both wrong says:

    The guy wrong yes but y’all excusing the girl behaviour for provoking him.

    She clearly never got disciplined and appears to be entitled

    So when carries that behaviour to another person again. Maybe Ur family,friends or lawn enforcement I hope y’all see that her behaviour had need correcting from small but now it will become everybody problem not just this guy

    Theres a lot of entitled rude young people now just girls out there running amuk . Look at eshs when the teachers called out the students for bring drugs into school and being unruly. The parents cry out and got angry with the teachers in disbelief.

    Look at eshs current conditions with metal detectors and knifes and sets drugs being brought into the schools

    We spoil them and give them entitlement and have them like angels with them is wolves. Soon they will be in cooperated into our community and will reap what we sow

    We done reaping it from last year festival complaints with minor’s drinking , smoking and dressing half naked on the grounds . Y’all only now seeing the smoke but is too late. That fire been brewing long time.

    Spare the rod and u will spoil the child
    Neglect morals and u will get criminals.

    That’s why we got a gang of highschool drops out forming gangs like money boys.

    That’s why we got young girls and women getting caught up with criminals and assisting them in money laundering and drug trafficking and murders . Smh

    That’s why you got young women some of them was in contestants in ms BVI but then out here selling them body to criminal’s just keep up there up maintained life style smh

    Like 22
    Dislike 4
    • Ah boy says:

      They don’t want to hear that lol. He must carry the weight of accountability for two people. Now they up and down abusing the word minor as if at 17 one doesn’t have enough awareness to know what provocation is. She should be charged with Simple Assault. He’s wrong but provocation has to be taken into account.

      Like 14
      Dislike 4
      • @ohbooy says:

        No worries
        Her future will be the just reward for this female piglet.
        Sit back and watch.
        BVI lslanders sit back and watched as these demented indecent varmints left their self made and induced sinking stinking habitats to claim pity elsewhere worldly including this dot on the map we call BVI.
        The curse that follows them and the curses that they have induced in this place leaves little hope for these VI,,for starters, they breed random and profusely like maggots.

        Like 3
        Dislike 6
      • Age says:

        She’s 19 soon to be 20

        Like 5
        Dislike 1
    • I second your sentiments.. says:

      I truly hope people read your post and recognize it for what it is — a warning, and in many ways a prophetic observation.
      We must be honest: much of the behaviour we are seeing is being learned and imitated, and I believe a major root cause is the emulation of the worst elements of Black US culture that glorify violence, disrespect, and disorder. That is not who we are, and it cannot be what we become.
      And I will go further — the UK will never relinquish the internal security portfolio, including oversight of the RVIPF and law enforcement, if they can point to our high school as an incubator of violence and evidence that we cannot control or change the behaviour.
      Do Cedar International or St. George’s face the same issues? If not, then we know the problem is standards, enforcement, and consequences.
      Troublemakers must be identified early, removed, and placed in a structured disciplinary programme — including a para-military school that must be established. And if parents don’t agree, they should pay and send their children to private school.
      Because when accountability comes out of their own pocket, people tend to get in line quickly enough.

      Like 7
      Dislike 1
  5. Virgin Islander says:

    There is a lot of scum in the Virgin Islands. It is disturbing that people are defending a man in his 30s for beating up a teenage girl. It shows a lot about your character if you defend this type of behavior. This reflects a deep, dark history in this territory of men violently abusing women, while others stay silent or make excuses. Nothing she did justified that kind of response. It was abuse, and excusing it only helps it continue.

    Like 12
    Dislike 1
    • Hmmm says:

      Wonder what her father has to say about this deserved and unforgettable whipping of his semi adult teenage daughter.
      Hmmm…Daddy home? Daddy in sight? Daddy unknown?

      Like 1
      Dislike 2
  6. Interesting says:

    The young lady is a not minor stop spreading false news! She is a hard back working young woman . Because she is slimmed framed and acts childish you all assume she’s a minor???

    Like 5
    Dislike 1
    • Who lied then says:

      Soooooo, she lied about her age to the Police? Because if the news is reporting she’s 17, their reporting it based on what was received from police. So the young lady racking up offences but no charges??? EL OH EL!!!

    • @interesting says:

      Does this matter? Whether she is 17 or 19? The man should NOT be putting his hands on her like this.
      Does it matter if she provoked him? The man should NOT be putting his hands on her like this. Grown people need to be able to control their reactions and behaviors. If they cannot, they are a danger to society and should be locked up. There are no justifications for what that man did and I hope those close to him are telling him so. There were other ways to handle that situation. I hope he recognizes that and makes a real change.

      Like 2
      Dislike 2
  7. take the wheel lord says:

    Did anyone investigate why that man returned to the BVI from the USA? That is not the first time. It is alleged that he has a pattern of doing it to other women in the USA and has a warrant out.

  8. Tola says:

    Minor my behind she was wrong for provoking the man

    Like 2
    Dislike 1

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