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Colwyn Harding case…Jamaican medical personnel confirm sodomy
Medical examinations conducted by independent doctors both here and in Jamaica have concluded that a “foreign object” was inserted into the anus of 23-year-old Colwyn Harding, causing extensive damage to the man’s anal region.
This was the report by the Colwyn Harding Support Group (CHSG) and lawyer for the victim, Nigel Hughes. The team reported to the media that independent medical practitioners found also that no examination of Harding’s anus/rectum was done so a comprehensive report on damage sustained was not ascertained.
Harding’s mother breaks down when the findings are read by Attorney Nigel Hughes addresses the media.
Member of CHSG, Roxanne Myers, related a sequence of events to the media. She said that Harding was discharged for the Georgetown Public Hospital on January 20, after spending a total of 33 days at the institution.
He was immediately taken to a private doctor to be evaluated, and was readmitted to a private hospital with sepsis (potentially fatal whole-body inflammation), fever and painful distress.
She said the GPHC hospital chart that was collected on behalf of the family by Harding’s lawyer indicated three procedures being performed. However, at no time during hospitalization at GPHC, was any examination of the anus/rectum performed, according to the patient’s hospital chart.
The only examination of the anus/rectum was done by the independent doctors contracted by the CHGS, Myers said.
The independent doctor from St. Mercy’s Hospital found that Harding has active rectal mucosal bleeding and an inflamed rectum. The evaluation also found other inconsistencies.
Harding was however sent to Jamaica and evaluated of February 5, to “conduct a forensic examination and to benefit from medical advice,” on the way forward for Harding’s recovery.
The report of the Jamaican surgeons is consistent with local referring surgeons, Myers said. She said that they noted that there was inflammation of the rectum and a “”narrowed distal sigmoid” as the surgeons were unable to go beyond 25cm with the scope, indicative of an injury that is consistent with abuse.”
The Jamaican surgeons recommended further study on Colwyn’s intestines before he has the third surgery which will provide more details about the “narrowed distal sigmoid” and a number of surgeries that may be required to remove stomas.
Harding should be ready for surgery in the next six to eight weeks to have the ostomies reversed (closed).
The CHGS also registered several inconsistencies with GPHC records handed over by the hospital. Myers charged incorrect page numbering, missing details, chronological errors, and different handwriting on several pages of the charts, which bear the same name; among other matters.
To the inconsistencies, independent surgeons questioned the validity, reliability and authenticity of some pages in the patient’s chart, Myers continued. She had accompanied Harding and his mother on their Jamaican trip.
Attorney at law Nigel Hughes has stated however that Harding’s representatives are still to receive information requested from the police regarding Harding’s alleged assaulters. He said that the civil matter against the Attorney General has also been delayed after the police Commissioner complained of inadequate time to investigate.
Hughes said that there has not been any new information on the investigation except for what is being read in the media.
He wrote to Attorney General Anil Nandlall on February 11, about compensation for Harding in light of the independent examination. The results of that examination will be with the Director of Public Prosecutions so that she can consider before making recommendations. The lawyer has also indicated the likelihood of civil proceedings in upcoming weeks.
The lawyer also addressed the comments of Justice Cecil Kennard, Health Minister Bheri Ramsarran and officials of the GPHC who pronounced that there was no medical evidence to support a police baton being pushed up the man’s anus and that other medical conditions had caused the damage, among other things.
Hughes charged that the officials should have less to say since it was confirmed that no examination of Harding’s anus/rectum was done at GPHC, although it was those examinations that confirmed that the man’s injures were consistent with the insertion of a “foreign object.”
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