Ariel Bolah murder: Grenada teenager makes first court appearance

Last updated: November 16, 2017 at 3:20 pm

The 17-year-old boy accused of killing Grenada schoolgirl Ariel Bolah has been remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison.

According to police, he was not allowed to plea “as the matter is an indictable one.”

There were furious scenes outside the court as the accused was escorted away under heavy guard from armed police, with an increasingly angry gathering waiting for a glimpse of the teenager.

He is due back in court next month.

The suspect has not been named due to this age but a number of people have taken to social media to share images that purportedly identify him.

The body of nine-year-old Ariel was discovered in woodland at around 11am on Saturday, less than 24 hours after she was last seen on her way home from school.

She was due to celebrate her 10th birthday next month.

In the courtroom, the suspect did not have any legal counsel but the state will be forced to provide him with representation when the matter moves to the high court.

A statement from the police force in Grenada said: “The Royal Grenada Police Force expresses sincere thanks to the media, community members and general public for the assistance rendered in the search for the late, Ariel Bhola [sic] of Frequente, St George,” a police statement said.

“As we grieve the loss of Ariel we pray that God will grant us all the strength to bear the great pain.

“Our condolences to her parents, family and friends, principal and staff of Blessed Sacrament RC School and her schoolmates.”

Grenada’s minister for health, Nikolas Steele said: “In this dark moment, let us display our finer qualities.”

The murder is the 12th to strike the country this year.