Twenty-six-year-old Isaiah Bernard and his brother, 24-year-old Daniel Bernard, both policemen, were on Friday hurled before the Leonora Magistrate’s Court to answer to charges of felonious wounding and kidnapping committed against 17-year-old Ashkay Budhairam.
The brothers appeared before Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul and denied the charges.
Charged: Daniel Bernard (left) and Isaiah Bernard
They were charged under Section 57 (a) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act Chapter 8:01 for felonious wounding and under Section 4 of the Kidnapping Act Chapter 10:05 for abduction with intent to wrongfully confine a person.
Reports are that earlier this week, the two policemen, who are brothers, reportedly forced the Westminster, West Bank Demerara (WBD) teen to enter a car at Schoonord, after which he was taken to their La Parfaite Harmonie, WBD home. The two brothers accused Budhairam of breaking into their home and stealing a phone and a video game.
Injured teen: Ashkay Budhairam
According to reports, the cops assaulted the teen with weapons and poured hot water on his body.
Meanwhile, as they were transporting the teen to another location, Budhairam managed to escape.
In an interview with this newspaper, the teenager recalled the horrific six hours of torture he endured before managing to make a daring escape. Budhairam said that during the ordeal he thought he was going to die.
In court on Friday, the two were released on $200,000 bail each. The case has been transferred to the Wales Magistrate’s Court and will continue on January 30, 2020.
