Six months in prison for man who knocked another unconscious

A hotel worker who punched and kicked a man unconscious before fleeing the scene has been jailed for six months.

Shannon Tuzo, 34, set upon Donald DeSilva outside Island Fried Chicken, in Court Street, on Thursday, June 26, at about 11 p.m., Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

Prosecutor Brett Webber said Tuzo accused DeSilva of disrespecting him as the victim sat on his motorcycle eating food he had bought from the shop. Tuzo, a tall and well-built man, slapped DeSilva hard and punched him in the mouth, causing him to fall to the ground, said Mr. Webber.

He then kicked and stamped on him, causing him swelling and bruising to his ribs and back, only stopping when somebody said DeSilva had a gun. Mr. Webber said the defendant then rode off on his motorcycle, with Mr. DeSilva unconscious on the ground. He was taken by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Tuzo, of St. Luke's Lane, St. David's, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, telling the court: "I was defending myself. I got hit first. I have admitted to what I have done and turned myself in."

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo, who was told Tuzo had previous convictions, gave him the maximum six-month sentence.

Police issue warning to tourists

The Community Safety Unit of the Bermuda Police Service is warning tourists to be vigilant when they are vacationing on the Island. They are reminding guests to use their hotel or room safes, where available, to store any valuables and not to leave them in plain view.

Tourists are also being reminded to secure their rooms at night and whenever they leave the room. When travelling around the Island on rental cycles, Police are reminding visitors to secure all their items in the basket or carrier provided and to cover them.

When at the beach or other tourist venue, never leave items of value unattended, Police also advised.

Police report 62 collisions over the past week

Since last Monday there were 45 reported damage only collisions, 17 reported injury collisions, three arrests on suspicion of impaired driving and 22 vehicles were taken without their owner's consent.

All of the vehicles removed were either auxiliary cycles or motorcycles and four of the 22 have been recovered.

Police are advising the motoring public to continue to use care, caution and courtesy on the Island's roads. Additionally, they are urging those travelling in cars to use their seat belts at all times and those travelling on motorcycles to fasten their helmets and to avoid making a third lane.

The Bermuda Police Service continues to advise the motoring public to slow down and to use care, caution and courtesy on the Island's roads.

Four receive hospitality scholarships

Royal Caribbean Hospitality Endowment Fund and the Ministry of Tourism and Transport announced last week the four students earning hospitality endowment scholarships.

Jordon Hassell, Luariena Rose and Aneesha Simmons are each receiving $5,000 for their education in the hospitality industry, while Edison Tucker is receiving $15,000.

Junior Minister Senator Marc Bean congratulated the students, emphasising the Ministry's involvement in the initiative, a joint effort with Royal Caribbean International. "We are committed to helping our young Bermudians achieve excellence in the hospitality industry," the Senator said in a press release. "This initiative celebrates that achievement."

Teachers head back to class

While most of Bermuda's students enjoy their summer break, some of their teachers are heading back to class.

Last week and this week, the Berkeley Institute has been hosting the Institute for Teaching Excellence, Action and Change (iTEACH), a programme which aims to help the Island's teachers better participate in reform of the Bermudian education system.

The inaugural instructor, Dr. Lou Matthews, a mathematics education professor at Georgia State University and a former member of the Bermuda Education Review Team, emphasised the importance of the community in reforming the schools.

"The courses are designed to promote a very simple, neglected fact about education reform — true change lies in the hands of ordinary people and must flow from the ground up," said Dr. Matthews.

The programme runs until July 24, and is planned to be only the first of a series of initiatives put forward by the iTEACH Consulting Group this year, including a website and "Chat 'N Chew" sessions.