THE University of the West Indies (UWI) said an internal investigation is now under way in the case of a female student who was allegedly held captive in the room of another student at the Mona campus and burnt all over her body.

Stating that it has activated procedures in keeping with campus policy on these matters, the university said it is “cooperating fully with the police investigations and stands ready to provide additional medical and emotional support to the injured student, her family, and other students who have been traumatised by the incident”.

On Monday police reported that 20-year-old Matthew 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.

The UWI, in a statement on the matter, said that on February 9 campus security received information that a female student was being held at 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”.