By Gareth Davis, Gleaner WriterPORT ANTONIO:
THE POLICE in Portland have dismissed the claim of political motive behind the burning down of a grocery shop and bar at Mill Bank in the parish on June 24.
They have also uncovered new evidence that the shop and bar, along with the partially burnt house, were not owned by Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Councillor, Benny White, as he had claimed on the night of the fire.
"We have collected statements from Angella White, niece of the Councillor," said Detective Sergeant Derrick Hart of the Criminal Investigative Branch (CIB) in Port Antonio. "She has indicated to us that the grocery shop and bar are owned and operated by her, and have nothing to do with her uncle. We also collected a statement from Cora White, sister-in-law of Councillor White who has indicated that the shop and the house have no ties to her brother-in-law."
OWNERSHIP
But, when contacted, Councillor White insisted that both buildings belonged to him. He said that the buildings are owned by his mother and father and that for many years now, since his mother emigrated, he had assumed ownership and responsibility for both properties.
"I am the rightful owner of the grocery shop and bar," said Mr. White. "My brother did some renovation work on the house, and because of that it is currently occupied by him along with his wife and daughter."
Mr. White added that although the contents of the grocery shop and bar are not his, the building itself belonged to him. He, however, mentioned that at present the grocery shop and bar were operated by his niece, and that the other section of the building, a cosmetology shop, is operated by his nephew.
"There is no truth to the statement given to the police by my niece and sister-in-law," he said. "They may have been manipulated during the interrogation carried out by the police, or may have simply misunderstood the questions posed to them."
