Guyana Defence Force Rank, Kester Bowen appeared at the Wales Magistrate Court charged with assault a Guyana Police Force Traffic Rank and obstructing the same Officer from executing his duties.
Bowen, of Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty and pleaded not guilty to the charges which state that he assaulted and obstructed one Constable Wilson from carrying out his duties on Friday, October 09, 2020.
He was granted bail in the sum of $100,000 and will make his next court appearance on November 4.
Bowen, a Lance Corporal of the GDF’s Coast Guard unit was seen on camera assaulting Constable Wilson in the vicinity of the western side of the Demerara Harbour Bridge on Friday last.
According to Police, at about 20:00h on the said day, Constable Wilson observed a dark grey motor car trying to change lane and, in the process, caused congestion of traffic.
As a result, the police approached the driver of the car and realised that it was a GDF Rank. The officer told his superiors that he told the GDF rank of the offence committed, and then instructed him to go in the corner of the road. However, the Lance Corporal became annoyed, exited the vehicle, and shoved the Constable.
Police reports said the Constable warned the driver about his behaviour and asked him to desist, which he ignored and proceeded to further assault the officer by choking him and dealing him several blows about his body, causing him to receive injuries.
Following the altercation, the GDF rank was arrested and escorted to La Grange Police Station and placed into custody pending investigations.
Meanwhile, Wilson was escorted to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was seen and examined by a doctor and was treated and sent away for the injuries he sustained. The entire episode was videoed by commuters and released on social media.
Bowen already made an appearance before Magistrate McGusty to answer the charges of driving an uninsured and uncertified vehicle – to which he pleaded guilty. Bowen was charged for driving an uninsured motor vehicle, driving an uncertified motor vehicle, and prohibition of tinted glass. He was represented by Attorney-at-Law Glen Hanoman and was fined $42,500.
