‘Disgusting and traumatic’

WESTERN BUREAU:

THE FAMILY of a teenage girl who was sexually assaulted by a male nurse at Noel Holmes Public Hospital in Hanover last year has praised the courts for granting her justice after the accused’s conviction on Tuesday.

Damion Bigby, the 46-year-old defendant, was convicted in the Hanover Parish Court of indecent assault six months after his trial began. He had been arrested and charged on May 24, 2021, for reportedly fondling the then 15-year-old while she was on the ward receiving medical treatment after a suicide attempt.

Bigby, who was represented by attorney Henry McCurdy during his court appearances, will undergo a sentencing hearing on June 14.

Speaking briefly with The Gleaner Wednesday, the girl’s mother – whose name has been withheld to protect her daughter’s identity – said the family was thankful for the speed with which the case was handled.

“I must say that I really appreciate the hard work of the justice system. It has been a very painful, unfortunate, disgusting, and traumatic situation which we suffered as a family throughout that period,” the mother said.

“I am happy that justice has been served and that the truth has been revealed,” she added.

Superintendent Sharon Beeput, head of the Hanover Police Division, had earlier commended the girl’s relatives for their cooperation in resolving the case.

Shortly after the accusations against Bigby, it was revealed that the girl’s suicide attempt was reportedly prompted by a previous sexual assault by a relative in 2017.

That relative was subsequently taken into police custody.

St Andrade Sinclair, regional director of the Western Regional Health Authority, announced at the time that proactive measures would be put in place to prevent a recurrence of the incident.

Sinclair also noted that male healthcare staff members are not permitted to interface with girls and women on predominately female hospital wards without oversight by female nurses.

In the meantime, the teenager’s mother is urging all employers to rigorously vet prospective workers.