Moruga man charged with child cruelty granted $20,000 bail

A 43-year-old man, who is accused of assaulting a nine-year-old boy in a video that surfaced online, has been granted $20,000 bail with surety or $10,000 cash.

Kervon Noel appeared before Master Kimitria Gray in the South Master Court A yesterday, charged with one count of cruelty to a child.

One of the conditions of his bail is that he refrain from any direct or indirect contact with the child, unless authorised and supervised by the Children’s Authority. He has also been ordered to report to the Moruga Police Station three times a week – Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

The prosecution recommended a summary trial, but Noel was not asked to enter a plea during the hearing.

Noel was arrested on February 11 by officers from the Special Victims Department, following the circulation of a disturbing video showing a man physically abusing a boy and threatening him with a knife on the road at Marac Village, Moruga. The video was recorded by a resident the previous night. PC Kevin Crawford, of the Special Victims Department, charged Noel in connection with the incident.

Guardian Media understands that the child, along with his younger brothers—aged five and seven—remain in the care of the Children’s Authority.

The case has been transferred to the Princes Town 1st District Court, with the next hearing scheduled for March 17.