Panel votes to dismiss soldier

Sub-Lieutenant Nakeida Gibson of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) has been dismissed from the BDF following her court martial that ended today.

The verdict was given by president Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Souvenir of the Guyana Defence Force, after a three-hour deliberation by the panel that also comprised judge advocate Magistrate Douglas Frederick.

Gibson, who apologised on Thursday, was informed that the dismissal is subject to the confirmation of the chief of staff. 

She had been brought up on the following charges and pleaded guilty:

•on July 10, being a commissioned officer in the BDF, she acted contrary to its fraternisation policy when she became involved in a personal relationship with a person of a junior rank;

• on July 10, she negligently handled a Glock 19 service pistol, as to cause it to be discharged in the presence of other persons; 

• between July 10 and 11, being a commissioned officer in the BDF, without lawful excuse, she engaged in wilful neglect which amounted to the abuse of public trust when she, in her post as staff officer logistics, Quartermaster Stores (G4), procured the replacement of one round of ammunition; and

• between July 10 and 19, without lawful excuse, she engaged in wilful neglect which amounted to the abuse of public trust when she failed to report or ensure that a report was made in respect of the discharge of the Glock 19. The panel heard the charges stemmed from a love triangle involving Gibson, her subordinate and his partner.