Lincoln Burton

What began as an afternoon of fun for Lincoln Burton, a member of the Barbuda Council ended up in horror as he was allegedly assaulted by several policemen during a raid on the sister-isle last Saturday.

Burton claimed that the police officers shouted on him and pushed him several times although he had identified himself to them in an effort to get answers to what warranted the surprise search at Thomas Grocery Store.

During an interview with the Antigua Sun, Burton said: "It's a place that I frequent and majority of the time that I go there, they would have a group of men playing domino,"

Rest of th ArticleBeginning of the ArticleHe further stated that he had just left a meeting and was heading to the store to meet some friends."I decided to go and look for my friends and support the guy who does business there," Burton added.

He said the police who were accompanied by officers from the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) were armed with self loading rifles and 9mm guns."They said hands up everybody.But, they weren't satisfied so they said everybody hit the floor and put your face in the floor," Burton reported.

Being a member of the Barbuda Council, Burton decided to question the law enforcement officers as to what was going on."Only to be pushed.They told me to shut my mouth and they went through my pocket.The only thing that was in my pocket was my pair of glasses," a very upset Burton said.

He does not believe that the officers had to use excessive force to carry out searches but believes it was an operation to intimidate the residents of Barbuda.There were reportedly 15 officers and seven civilians.

"The police and the defence force went over board.Is this the only thing that government can offer to us Barbudans, police brutality and excessive force," Burton concluded.

Lincoln Burton was charged with kidnapping and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The complainant, a 30-year-old Hispanic woman told the court that she does not wish to proceed with the matter.

Reports are that the woman told the court that she does not wish to hurt the man's children whom she knows or his family in general.
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Acting Chief Magistrate Asquith Riviere, who is presiding during this sitting of the district ‘C' court after dismissing the charges, warned Burton not to have any contact with the woman, including not even saying a word to her.
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Burton promised that he does not have any problem with obeying the court's order.

Burton was facing serious indictable charges that if the matter had moved ahead would have had to face a judge and jury in the High Court.

The Barbuda Council member allegedly on 21 Feb., abducted the woman against her will, took her to an area close to the sanitary landfill in Barbuda.Allegedly, both Burton and the woman were alleged to have been involved in a relationship which turned sour after allegation of infidelity surfaced.

Both later allegedly became embroiled in a fracas when Burton is alleged to have assaulted the woman.She was injured during the incident and received several marks about the body.

That's the view of Chairman of Health, Disaster and Social Welfare on the Barbuda Council, Lincoln Burton.He said he believes that residents of the sister island will be harmed and not helped by the tax.

He maintained that Barbuda has been neglected for years and has not reaped the rewards of already existing taxes.
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Burton said the government had continued the habit of neglecting Barbuda, much like the previous regime.He pointed out that Barbuda already has higher prices than Antigua, since goods have to be transported there, attracting additional shipping costs.Barbudans, he said, are often forced to travel to Antigua to shop or conduct business, incurring even greater expense.

Council member Lincoln Burton told the Antigua Sun the government and not the Council, was responsible for accommodating police officers.

"I don't understand what is going on.It appears that the Barbuda Council is supposed to be responsible for the police," he said."I can guarantee that the Barbuda Council will do what it can do for the police, but come on!The government must lead.

"It is central government's responsibility to find whatever they must find for the Royal Police Force of Antigua & Barbuda.

"It must find a place for them to stay and then if the Council tries to do a little upkeep for them, it doesn't harm us, but they need to take the leading role," Burton said.

Lincoln Burton, former chairman of Health, Disaster & Social Welfare within the Barbuda Council told the SUN that as a result of Carib Aviations alleged ...

Lincoln Burton, the Chairman of the Barbuda Council in 2005, has reportedly become Chairman of the Health, Social Welfare and Disaster Committee.

Lincoln Burton
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Lincoln Burton
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Lincoln Burton
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Lincoln Burton Chairman
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Lincoln Burton Ex-officio

At 3 July 2005 the Councillors are Lincoln Burton ,Chairman,, Randolph Beazer ,Deputy Chairman,, Courtney Burton, George Burton, Dave Desouza, Fabian Jones, Arthur Nibbs, Kelvin Punter, and Everit Thomas, with Trevor Walker, the parliamentary representative, and Atkinson Beazer, the senator, as ex-officio members.
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Lincoln Burton reported that an environmental survey had shown that the magnitude of the development would adversely affect the environment of Palmetto Point.

Lincoln Burton, former chairman of Health, Disaster & Social Welfare within the Barbuda Council told the SUN that as a result of Carib Aviations alleged refusal, the request ultimately had to be asked of Norman Aviation.

Burton further alleged that "ministers had to be called to get a sick person to be airlifted out of Barbuda yesterday and pressure had to be put on Carib Aviation to come for that person.
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Lincoln Burton, former chairman of Health, Disaster & Social Welfare within the Barbuda Council told the SUN that as a result of Carib Aviations alleged refusal, the request ultimately had to be asked of Norman Aviation.Burton further alleged that "ministers had to be called to get a sick person to be airlifted out of Barbuda yesterday and pressure had to be put on Carib Aviation to come for that person.