Policeman, wife clash outside court

After enduring alleged abuse from her husband of five years, nail technician Mekeel Brereton-Richards of Belair has finally decided to put an end to turmoil once and for all.

But her solution was not a murder but rather legal action.{{more}}

Richards’ situation could have taken an ugly turn were it not for a chance encounter with her legal representative Vynette Frederick last week Thursday in the courthouse yard.

What makes the situation more complicated is that Brereton-Richards’ husband is a police officer.

After an altercation with her husband PC 322 Enkem Richards in the courthouse yard, Brereton-Richards, who was on the verge of being arrested, was persuaded by Frederick to resist certain temptations and return to the lawyer’s office and tell her story to Searchlight.

The mother of two, one of whom was fathered by her husband, relayed that after being together for ten years the couple finally decided to get married in September 2002.

The past three years have been hardest, according to Brereton-Richards.

“I have been the victim of physical, mental and verbal abuse by my husband, from beatings to threats and insults,’ she said.

“Many times I tried to leave, but he would always apologize and beg and plead and promise to make things better.”

The nail technician admitted that things would seem better for a few weeks, but would eventually revert to the old ways.

At this point Frederick informed Searchlight that her client had on two occasions approached her with regard to filing for divorce, but would call and put the proceedings on hold.

“There is nothing I can do,” Frederick said, “If she tells me to go I go, if she tells me to stop I stop.”

Frederick explained that in most domestic cases, the victim is usually ‘sweet talked’ into staying in abusive relationships.

“They (the abuser) know exactly what to say and how to act in order to convince the partner to stick around.”

When asked if she had reported these incidents to the authorities, Brereton-Richards confirmed that she had, but on many occasions she was just sent home to ‘make up’ by the officers.

After years of putting up with the alleged abuse, Brereton-Richards said the situation came to a boiling point when she was informed of incidents that took place on the Easter weekend.

“When I heard about what happened, I decided it was either suicide or murder.” Brereton-Richards said. “I contemplated killing my husband or myself.”

Brereton-Richards said that she had gone to the courthouse to confront her husband, who was at the time assigned to High Court Justice Gertel Thom.

They got into an argument, which was broken up by other police officers and bystanders, and Brereton-Richards was finally rescued by Frederick, who talked her out of getting into further trouble.

The following day both Frederick and Brereton-Richards returned to the high court, where Brereton-Richards filed for a divorce and obtained a restraining order on her husband.

In a new twist to the story, Brereton-Richards has been charged with destroying property belonging to the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force and will appear at the Calliaqua court on April 23 to answer the charge.

The 29-year-old woman was charged with destroying her husband’s police uniform. In the process, one hat, two long sleeved tunics, one pair of pants and one short-sleeved shirt were burnt.

She was hauled before the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday where she pleaded not guilty to the charge.

It is alleged that between the April 13th and 14th, Richards and her husband got into an argument after which she went home and burnt his clothing.

She is not permitted to speak on the matter as it is still being dealt with in the court, but said that she knows that she will be vindicated.

“All I know is that the situation could have been worse than it is right now.” She said in a phone interview, “I have my beautiful children to live for and I intend to make the most of my life now that the worst is behind me.”

“My advice for anyone in an abusive relationship is to get out as soon as possible. Don’t allow the devil to tempt you into doing something that you will regret for the rest of your life. Walk away!”