UWI student accused of torturing ex-girlfriend remanded, slapped with more charges
KINGSTON, JAMAICA — Matthew Hyde, the University of the West Indies (UWI) student accused of torturing his ex-girlfriend with a clothing iron in his dorm room, has been slapped with three more charges.
Hyde, who was previously charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, is now facing false imprisonment, malicious communication and assault occasioning bodily harm charges.
Hyde was remanded in custody until March 9, 2023.
On Monday police reported that 20-year-old Hyde, of a Braemar Avenue address in St Andrew, was charged after he allegedly held his ex-girlfriend captive in his room on a block of the George Alleyne Hall between Monday, February 6 and Thursday, February 9, beat her, and burnt her all over her body with a clothes iron.
READ: UWI investigating alleged student torture
The UWI, in a statement on the matter, said that on February 9 campus security received information that a female student was being held in the room of another student.
“She was found to have suffered burns all over her body. Campus security immediately advised the campus police, along with the Mona police, who quickly responded, rescued the female student, and handed over the accused to the Half-Way-Tree Police Station where he was charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm,” The UWI said.
“The injured, a 19-year-old student, has received medical attention and the campus has made arrangements for counselling support to assist her with coping after the traumatic ordeal. Senior campus administrators have also been in touch with the student to offer the necessary assistance to support her physical and emotional well-being and continued academic success,” the university said.
The UWI condemned the violent act, thanked the student who “acted bravely to report the matter”, and encouraged other students “to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity that may endanger themselves or others immediately to the police or campus security”.