Philipsburg:--- A national of St. Kitts who turned in two brothers that were sexually molesting their two young sisters was beaten at least twice while in police custody. The prisoner Eric Rochester told SMN News on Wednesday that he was beaten on Friday while taking fresh air. He said the second beating he received on Tuesday was instigated by a prison guard he identified as Blake. Rochester said on Tuesday officer Blake took him out of his cell and placed him in another cell claiming that the other inmates had to clean the cell he was in. Rochester said shortly after that Blake told him to return to his cell and he begged the officer to escort him since he was afraid. He said Officer Blake told him that everything was going to be okay and that he should go alone. "As I walked towards the cell one of the inmates was hiding behind a wall and he slapped me, I ran inside the cell not knowing that another inmate identified as Tony was hiding inside the cell. The other inmate and Tony beat me with a broom stick and they kicked me all over my body. I screamed and called for help but officer Blake did not come right away. When Officer Blake reached the cell he told the prisoners to stop now because he was of the opinion that I got enough blows. When police called the Ambulance paramedics told me I needed to get a stitch or two in my head and I heard when Officer Blake told the other prisoners who beat me to stick to their word." Rochester said the police officer who escorted him to the St. Maarten Medical Center urged him to file a complaint with the police which he did and he said the police also took the medical report from the doctor at the hospital. "I heard when these guys were planning to beat me they said I raped a three year old child. One of them said show me the bitch and I will fix him, this nonsense and abuse towards children has to stop. I knew they were talking about me because on Friday when I was beaten this is what the Violenus brothers told them." Rochester said that was the reason he asked Blake to escort him because he was in fear for his life. He further explained that he is the one who enlightened the police about the sexual abuse of the two young girls. Rochester said he wants a thorough investigation to be conducted. He said he is currently discussing with lawyers because he intends to take the Police Department and the Prison Authority to court. Sources within the police force said Rochester was beaten on Tuesday and he had to be taken to the St. Maarten Medical Center for stitches to his head, he was deported later that day, the source said. SMN News learnt that Rochester filed a complaint with the police for the ill-treatment he received during his stint behind bars.
