Cashier charged in hot oil attack

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (Trinidad Express) — A KFC cashier who is accused of dousing a customer with hot oil, causing him to be hospitalised with secondary burns about his body, was yesterday placed on $45,000 bail.

Erica Fonrose, 32, whose address was given as Beetham Highway, Sea Lots, appeared in the Port of Spain Fifth Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Aden Stroude charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The matter was called earlier but was stood down for the afternoon as the prosecution did not have a criminal background trace on the accused.

It was found that the accused, who was represented by attorney Sade Lee-Duprey, did not have any criminal history and was not called upon to enter a plea.

Prosecutor Sgt Andrews indicated to the court that the victim, Shameek Gonzales, 28, who is also from Sea Lots, is still hospitalised in a stable condition.

Fonrose was ordered to keep 100 metres away from the victim. She will reappear in court on October 22.

It is alleged the incident occurred on Monday at the KFC outlet at the corner of Eastern Main Road and Sixth Avenue, Barataria.

Gonzales reportedly had a verbal exchange with Fonrose over the size of the chicken he received. The heated argument escalated and it is alleged the victim slapped Fonrose. Fonrose allegedly retrieved a pot of oil from the kitchen and ran behind the victim, following him outside of the restaurant. She then allegedly threw the hot oil on him, burning him about his upper body.