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Her son became an innocent victim of the scourge creeping through
the land.
Stewart was not only freed, but the mother of one of the twins involved
in a fight that caused the trouble apologised to him.
Charles recalled what happened outside the court when the matter
was dismissed.
“The boy’s mother came over to Akeel and apologised
to him,” Charles told TnT Mirror.
“She shook his hands telling him she knew he was innocent.
“She looked relieved just as I was.”
The boy’s mom continued: “It was really hard for me
knowing all along the child was innocent.
“He should have never been in court, since it was another
child who tried to stab him (Akeel) and the officer got in the way.
“The officer got cut on his hand and Akeel was arrested.”
Eyewitness reports supported the accused’s innocence, saying
it was another student who stabbed PC Bridgemohan Singh and not
the then 14-year-old Stewart, as claimed by the injured cop.
Stewart was nonetheless, arrested and charged with malicious wounding.
Charles said her son was not only battered and bruised by schoolmates
when he tried to part a fight outside of his school, but cops also
“did him in” during his five days in custody following
the fracas.
“It is very sad; I went through too much, both physically
and financially, over the last two years to see my child come through
this,” she added.
“I don’t wish it on any parent or child.
“Going to court is not nice; it made me a nervous wreck each
time a court hearing drew nearer.
“I had to be strong in order to give my son strength.
“I couldn’t eat or sleep properly; I’m really
glad it is all over.”
PC Singh, who Stewart is alleged to have slashed, attended court
just twice since the matter began in November 2004.
During 2005 and 2006, the court never saw or heard from him for
the many times the matter was called.
Charles said no excuses were given for Singh’s absence, causing
the magistrate to finally throw out the matter.
“It has left Akeel scarred, but we are both stronger for it,”
the mother moaned.
Stewart is now 16 years and will soon be writing the 14-plus examination.
The promising young footballer kept on with his game, even though
he was going through a terrible period in his life.
“He got even more involved and I think that is what kept him,”
Charles continued.
“We had to keep talking to him, but he did lose some of his
self-esteem.”
She said just prior to the fiasco he had began “picking up”
well in school.
“What happened threw him off a bit, so I had to be talking
to him a lot,” she added.
“He has been taught a lesson the hard way.
“I tell him now if he sees someone fighting just turn his
head and walk away.
“Don’t get involved because it could cost him his future.”
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