Ten-Year-Old Murdered in Trelawny Sparks Fatal Mob Attack as Ninjaman Appeal Continues

A trip to a neighbourhood shop ended in tragedy for 10-year-old Shani Coke, whose body was later discovered partly unclothed with her throat cut in Troy district, Trelawny. Her father, Ashton Coke, said the child had been staying with him and left for the shop about 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, then did not come back. A community search followed, and the girl was found to have been raped and killed.

Angry residents turned on Delroy Coke, a convicted sex offender who lived in the area, and beat him to death. His father, Maxwell Coke, was hurt in the assault and taken to hospital. Police have arrested at least one person over the mob killing but say they have no evidence tying Delroy Coke to the child’s murder. Troy residents later protested, demanding that the person held over the fatal attack be freed.

On Thursday, the Crown asked the Court of Appeal to leave standing the convictions and sentences of dancehall artiste Ninjaman and his co-accused. Ninjaman, born Desmond Valentine, spent two days before the court seeking to overturn his 2017 conviction for the 2009 killing of Ricardo Johnson. Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Kathy-Ann Pike told the panel there was strong proof the men acted together and rejected claims that the trial evidence had been weak, vague, or inconsistent. After hearing arguments, the three-judge bench reserved its decision.

Less than a week after the 2026 FIFA World Cup closed, United States President Donald Trump pressed for another tournament on American soil. In the final last Sunday, Spain defeated defending champions Argentina. Appearing with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Trump said he wanted the United States to host again during his term—this time without Canada and Mexico. The next World Cup is already scheduled for Spain, Portugal, and Morocco in 2030.

On Saturday night at Plantation Cove in St. Ann, Taste of Sumfest brought dancehall stars Vybz Kartel and Movado together for a full hour of performance that revived memories of the Gully Gaza period.

In this week’s Dear Pastor letter, a reader described visiting cousins in Kingston at age 18. While her female cousin was out with a boyfriend, her two male cousins pressured her into sex with both of them in succession. She said she did not want to take part but feared causing conflict, and felt guilty because she had a boyfriend at home. She has not returned to see those relatives, though she still speaks with the female cousin, who often invites her back. She says she would need her boyfriend’s clear consent before considering another visit. The pastor advised that the past cannot be undone.