Residents of a community in St Ann claim they have been cowering in fear for the past couple of months, thanks to the actions of a crippled man who they say is the leader of a gang which has been picking trouble.

While a number of police sources from the parish say they are yet to hear about the crippled gangster and his cronies, residents say it will be just a short wait until they do.

Tales of residents with whom THE STAR spoke, yesterday painted the rather unusual picture of a gun-toting 30-odd-year-old man whose mobility is limited to that of a wheelchair, but who has the backing of a number of 'cross' young men to make up for his handicap.

The man lost his legs during a car accident some five years ago, residents said.

"Yes mi dear, is a wheelchair man a run di place, him and him boys dem have di place a way to ... Mi nuh know how dem get hot suh though, dem and every other crew round di place inna tings," one resident Mr Iris* explained, before adding that it is that situation which has them in fear.

"Wi nuh use to di war thing inna dem place yah, and now man all a send threat seh man from roun here cyaa go some other place because our dads a diss dem," another resident, a 24-year-old man added.

forced to sit

THE STAR was told of an incident which occurred over a week ago and involved a teenage girl who was held and forced to sit on the crippled man's lap.

The girl, who is from an adjoining community, is said to have returned with male relatives who reportedly brandished guns and promised to pay a visit to those who were responsible for the act.

"Dem see di girl a pass and through she neva ansa dem when dem call to har dem hol' har and mek she sit inna dem so called boss lap and all did a tell har fi whine pon him," Mr Irissaid. "Di girl go weh an come back with har family dem and is a lucky thing seh when dem go pon di corner everybody gone. Is a yute weh not even know weh an gwaan dem hold and a ask bout it. A di same girl affi beg fi di yute."

They also spoke of another popular incident which occurred at a recent party. The crippled man is said to have thrown liquor on another man who he alleged to have been staring at him.

When THE STAR contacted Detective Corporal Anthony Lampart of the Area 2 police, he urged the residents to contact the police and give the information they have so investigations can be launched.

"I am not saying it is not so but I haven't heard of this man but I know from time to time things can take place which don't reach our ears. In a case like this, I would ask the residents to help us protect them by giving us some information," he said.

*Name changed to protect identity.