‘They killed him for ham’

Jody Awai
Jody Awai

UPDATE:

While police are still trying to determine what was stolen from MacFoods Meat Factory, Laventille, during a robbery on Sunday night, relatives of security guard Jody Awai, who was beaten to death, insist that he was killed for hams kept at the factory for storage and wholesale purchase.

Police said Awai, 39, and another security guard Tevaught Notice, 23, who both worked for Blackburn Security Co Ltd, were at the company’s Old St Joseph Road, Laventille factory at around 11.15 pm when Notice, who was patrolling the parking lot, was beaten and tied up by three men who jumped the gate.

Awai saw what was going on and tried to run back to the guard booth, but was caught and beaten severely. Newsday understands his head was slammed against a concrete wall.

The thieves reportedly ransacked the factory, but did not find any money and escaped with valuables.

After they left, Notice freed himself and called the police. Besson Street police responded.
Speaking with Newsday at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, yesterday, Awai’s brother Mark said he was deeply saddened by his death and believed his killers intended to steal hams kept in the factory freezer.

“Why else would they have wanted to rob the place? They don’t keep money at the factory and I doubt they came to steal machinery. The only other thing there is meats, especially hams.”
Mark also said he admired his brother for resisting the bandits and felt the company he had worked for should offer some compensation for his sacrifice.

“It’s eight children he has, so it’s only right. He went down fighting, and I only hope he managed to damage one of his attackers during the robbery.

“I am proud of him that he went down fighting and I am happy he took a stand against those bandits. I hope the police catch at least one of them so we can have some sort of closure.”

Newsday also spoke to Awai’s half-brother Vijay Singh, who said he would also like to see some financial compensation for his brother’s murder and lamented how unprepared security guards were to deal with armed attackers.

“This is the second time I lost a brother to violence and right now I’m just fed up.” He did not want to give details of this other brother’s death. Newsday visited MacFoods yesterday morning and staff said despite the murder, they were expected to work as usual.

Homicide Bureau Region 1 police were expected to interview senior company officials and watch CCTV footage.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Relatives of murdered security guard Jody Awai are calling for financial compensation after he was beaten to death at MacFoods Meat Factory in Laventille last night.

Speaking with Newsday at the Forensic Science Centre, St James this morning, Awai's half-brother, Vijay Singh, said given the circumstances behind his death, the family should receive compensation in some form.

He lamented how unprepared security guards are to deal with armed intruders.

Singh also sought to implore companies to take the necessary steps to protect their workers.

"I understand this is about the third time a robbery happened at the factory. This is the second time I lost a brother to violence and I am just fed up."

Awai's brother, Mark, said he admired his brother for resisting the bandits and also endorsed the call for compensation for the sacrifice made by his brother.

"It's eight children he has so its only right. He went down fighting and I only hope he managed to damage one of his attackers during the robbery."

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"‘They killed him for ham’"

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