Police were called to assault scene -- But officers failed to link 911 call with serious attack
Police were called to St. Monica's Mission, Pembroke, last Thursday afternoon to a report of a disturbance but left when they found no evidence that a crime had taken place.
But it has transpired that a young man was being viciously assaulted in the area on or about that time.
The 28-year-old Sandys man is in a critical condition with head and internal injuries in King Edward VII Memorial Hospital as a result of the attack.
He was taken to hospital in a taxi and two youths are helping Police with inquiries, although no one has been charged.
Officers searched the area and questioned youths following a report of a disturbance, but left when they found no evidence of a crime being committed.
On Monday Police said they had not been informed about the assault until the day after, which was when an investigation was launched.
A Police spokeswoman said yesterday that the report of the disturbance and the assault had not been linked because Police found no evidence of a crime taking place.
She said the call from a member of the public on Thursday afternoon was logged as a disturbance in the St. Monica's Mission area but did not specify an assault.
It now seems that the man had either been beaten by the time Police arrived or the attack was suspended while officers carried out a search.
The Police spokeswoman said: "We did receive a report of a disturbance or attack just before 3 p.m. on Thursday. Several units did respond involving three Police cars.
"When we arrived there were no fights or disturbances, but there were several youths hanging around and they were questioned and denied any knowledge of an attack or disturbance. We searched the area for indications of assault.
"At that time, another youth was seen coming from behind the church and was stopped, questioned and searched, but he denied any knowledge.
"There was nothing to link the report of the disturbance that we attended on Thursday afternoon with the incident that was either taking place or had ceased to take place and which we were informed about later.''
