A 21-year-old man will know his fate next month after he pleaded guilty this week to kidnapping a father and son and extorting money from them in 2012.
Kyle Cyril was arraigned on April 17, 2013 in the High Court of Justice Francis Cumberbatch on four charges one count of kidnapping of Gregory Emmanuel Junior, also known as Daran of Monier; one count of kidnapping of Gregory Emmanuel Senior, also known as Shining of Monier; one count of stealing motor vehicle, and one count of extortion.
Cyril pleaded guilty to both counts of kidnapping and the charge of extortion. He pleaded not guilty to stealing the motor vehicle – a charge eventually dropped by the Director of Public Prosecution.
According to the facts of the case, on January 31, 2012, Shining, who is the owner of Steel Pan Group Diamond Steel, left his home at about 6:45 pm to attend a scheduled engagement.
Upon his return at about 9: 45pm, Shining entered his son’s room and noticed that he was tied up. He then noticed one Chris Edward, who is known to him and his family, holding a gun, and Cyril, who was not known to him at the time.
Shining was tied up and told by one of the men that he wanted $18,000, but would settle for $10,000. Shining stated that he did not have access to that amount of cash, but would be able to obtain the sum of $5,000.
Shining and his son were then taken from their home and forced into their vehicle at gun point. They were taken to another location where Shining was forced to write two checks in the name of Kyle Cyril for $5,000.
On February 1, 2012, Shining was then kept at the location under the guard of Chris Edward, and Cyril proceeded to the bank with Daran (Shining’s son). Once the checks were cashed, Cyril returned with Daran to the second location, where they were kept in fear of their lives until about 7:30am on February 2, 2012. During that time, it is alleged that the Emmanuels feared for their lives as the two kidnappers debated on and off about the eventual outcome of their actions.
The kidnappers eventually released their victims.
On March 11, 2013, Cyril was remanded to the Bordelais Correctional Facility as a result of non-adherence to bail conditions. He remains on remand pending the ordered pre-sentence report and sentencing hearing which will take place on May 15, 2013.
NOTE: St. Lucia News Online has been unsuccessful so far in finding out the reason Chris Edward is not involved in the case, and will inform when information is obtained.