The Royal Barbados Police Force has been accused by rape victim and former British actress Hilary Heath of failing to warn the public about the threat a serial rapist posed to the country back in 2004.
Heath told Britain’s SUNDAY TIMES newspaper that Barbadian police seemed more interested in protecting the country’s tourism reputation than warning women about the danger they faced seven years ago.
In the report, also carried today in the DAILY MAIL, Heath said she and two other victims complained formally about the police investigation.
She said she had to beg for DNA swabs to be taken when she went to the hospital and that police officers failed to seize “vital evidence” such as bed sheets and items handled by the rapist for forensic clues.
She said the name of the attacker, Venslow Small, was also given to police by colleagues at Verdun House. Heath worked there as an intern. (WG)