Hotel staff acted in self-defence, says RIU of bust-up

 

Spanish hotel chain RIU has flatly denied claims that its staff profiled and battered a Jamaican man who was a guest at its Ocho Rios, St Ann, resort in October.

In a statement issued to The Gleaner on Wednesday, RIU said that it rejects and denounces any type of aggression at its facilities.

It said that in the incident, which occurred on October 28, the aggression was provoked by 29-year-old Raymond Henry against one of its employees while she performed her cleaning duties.

Henry, his spouse, and young daughter vacationed for four days at the resort between October 25 and 28.

RIU said that its security employees acted proportionately, in self-defence, to blunt the attack allegedly mounted by Henry.

“We do not tolerate disrespect or harm to the integrity of any of our collaborators or clients,” the hotel said.

“Therefore, we are going to raise this case to where it is necessary, at the level of police and legal entities, to clarify the facts and defend the welfare of our abused employee,” RIU said.

In a Gleaner article published on November 15, Henry said that after checking out, he returned to the hotel room to retrieve a cell phone his spouse had inadvertently left behind.

He said this was communicated to the front desk staff, who furnished him with an access card.

Henry said that upon his return to the room, he located the phone but stayed to relieve himself.

Midway that process, he was reportedly confronted by one of the cleaning staff, who asked why he was still in the room, which had been flagged as empty.

Embarrassed, he said he responded in a boisterous manner, showing the woman the access card and criticising her approach.

Henry said that he was attacked, beaten, and pepper-sprayed by two men who attempted to accost him.

The incident was recorded on two cell phones.

The hotel’s management was called in, and Henry was treated by an in-house nurse.

The police were called in by the hotel and a statement was taken from Henry. He later reported the matter to the police in Old Harbour.

Henry, who said he intends to sue the hotel, also sought medical attention and was advised to undergo a CT scan, X-rays, and an ultrasound.

kimone.francis@gleanerjm.com

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