MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update

Headlines:
Trawler Holberg wrecked at Port Purvis; Police chief found guilty; Remembrance weekend; This week's cruise visitors.

Trawler Holberg wrecked at Port Purvis

THE Director of Fisheries says aerial observation of the stricken vessel Holbergshows "only a small amount of oil" in the water around the vessel. The Holberg, a small Uruguayan trawler licensed to fish for scallops, ran aground in Port Purvis, West Falkland on Sunday afternoon. Representatives for the ship's owners and insurers are expected to arrive this weekend and, Mr Barton said, "...hopefully, a more comprehensive plan can be put in place to deal with potential oil pollution and the vessel itself." However, things aren't happening fast enough for Grant Munro from Falkland Conservation. He commented, "I've been disappointed by the lack of direct response to the incident and feel the government has a moral obligation to accurately assess the situation through on-site visits..." He said a team from Falklands Conservation is heading out to the area today to carry out a coastal survey. In addition to birdlife, organisms on the foreshore are also vulnerable, Mr Munro said. "Even if it's only a slight sheen it can be enough to kill what's on the foreshore in the short term..." Bill Pole-Evans of Manybranch Farm visited the site on Wednesday evening. He reported no sign of oiling on the Gentoo colony at Gladstone Valley, however he said there was some evidence of diesel on the beach. He said there was more oil on the water than at his last visit, on Monday. Holberg's ordeal: turn to page 3.Picture: The Holberg in Port Purvis. Picture: FIGAS

Police chief found guilty

DAVID MORRIS, former Chief of Police, has been found guilty of perverting the course of justice. Superintendent Morris, who has served in the Royal Falkland Islands Police (RFIP) for two decades, will learn of his sentence next week, at the conclusion of a second trial in which he faces a joint charge with another officer, DS Jonathon Butler. Mr Morris was accused of pressuring Inspector Len McGill to terminate a police inquiry into an alleged assault by his son, Jason Morris. Following a four day trial Acting Senior Magistrate, Patrick Curran QC revealed his guilty verdict yesterday afternoon. He said the matter came down to Mr McGill and Mr Morris's evidence being in conflict. In the end, he said, he found Mr McGill's evidence as being reliable and Mr Morris's as not. He observed that Mr McGill had been uncomfortable and "plainly took no pleasure" in dealing with the evidence. Mr Curran said he found Mr Morris, "evasive with some matters, misleading in others, and economical with the truth..." Opening the trial on Monday, Prosecution Counsel, Peter Cooke, outlined the circumstances which lead to Mr Morris being charged in January of this year. On March 28, 2005 Inspector McGill was made aware of an alleged assault on Patricia Parades Villa Blanco by her partner Jason Morris and sent a female officer (WPC Rowland) to see her, with a translator (Jennifer Sanchez) to assist. Mr Cooke said the RFIP have an established Domestic Violence Policy (DVP) that Mr McGill intended to follow and, after receiving an update, it was established that Ms Parades was willing to make a statement but did not want it to go to court. That afternoon, Mr Cooke said, Mr Morris paid Mr McGill a visit in his office and closed the door. Mr Morris was reported to be angry and his manner aggressive and asked Mr McGill ,"what the f**k is going on?" He said Mr McGill started to explain the action being taken however, despite his attempts to reassure Mr Morris, he remained agitated and swore a lot. Mr Morris asserted that there were two sides to the story, that his son had been assaulted and it was a family matter in which the police did not need to be involved. Mr McGill took this to mean that Mr Morris did not want the police involved and warned of the sensitivity of the matter, Mr Cooke told the court. Mr Morris's anger was unabated and he was scathing and insulting of Detective Sergeant Butler and Sergeant Whistler. The sergeants spoke to Mr McGill, having been alerted by shouting, and he instructed them to continue the investigation. On the second day of the trial Inspector Len McGill, who has been Acting Chief of Police while the matter has been under investigation, gave evidence. Mr McGill has worked with Mr Morris in the force for many years and said he had never before known Mr Morris to act as he did on March 28. He confirmed the prosecution's version of events and said the only time he raised his voice was to defend two of the officers (Butler and Whistler) when Mr Morris referred to them as "those two ba***rds." He said he made it clear that the officers were acting under his direction. Defence Counsel Paul Treble, in cross examination, established that Mr Morris and Mr McGill had remained friendly after the incident and there had been no complaint made. The incident had only come to light when questions were asked by Metropolitan Officers investigating another matter. Mr Treble asked if any enquiries had been made about Jason Morris' injuries; Mr McGill said that there had not as the investigation was stopped when it was discovered that Ms Parades did not want to make a statement. Mr McGill said that he had felt "disappointed and uneasy" about the incident at the time, adding, "...I still do." Ms Sanchez had translated for Ms Parades when she told Mr Morris what had occurred between her and his son. This week Ms Sanchez told the court the main bruising was on Ms Parades' face, her nose was bleeding and she had bruises on her arms and back. After visiting the hospital Ms Sanchez said Ms Parades wanted to talk to Mr Morris (Snr) as she felt "comfortable" with Jason's parents. She said that Mr Morris invited her to stay with them so she did not have to go back to Jason's and he asked if she wished to make a complaint. Continued on page 2

Remembrance weekend

TWO minutes silence will be observed on Remembrance Day, tomorrow, commencing at 11am. The firing of the saluting guns on Victory Green will signal the commencement and conclusion of the two minutes silence. Sunday, November 12 is Remembrance Sunday. A Memorial Service will be held in Christ Church Cathedral commencing at 9.45am. At 10.10am detachments from the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and the Falkland Islands Defence Force will form up at the Cross of Sacrifice for a non-denominational service.

This week's cruise visitors

THE cruise ship Aleksey Maryshevis due to visit Stanley tomorrow (Saturday), bringing approximately 50 passengers. On Sunday, Polar Pioneerwill visit Sea Lion Island then she will head to Stanley on Monday. She is expected to bring around 56 passengers.

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