Kester Bowen, a 25-year-old Lance Corporal of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), was on Wednesday released on a total of $20,000 bail after pleading not guilty to charges which stated that he assaulted a traffic rank and obstructed him from carrying out his duties.
Lance Corporal Kester Bowen was captured on video assaulting Police Constable Wilson
The incident occurred at the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
Bowen, of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Wales Magistrate’s Court.
The first charge against him stated that on October 9, 2020, at the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, he assaulted Police Constable 24030 Wilson who was acting in the execution of his duty.
It was further alleged that on the same day, Bowen obstructed the Police Constable from carrying out his duties. He denied both charges and was granted bail in the sum of $10,000 for each of the two charges. He will make his next court appearance on November 4, 2020.
On Tuesday, Bowen was charged for driving an uninsured motor vehicle, driving an uncertified motor vehicle, and prohibition of tinted glass. He was fined $42,500.
Last Friday, Bowen was arrested after he physically assaulted the Police Constable who had pulled him over for a traffic offence. The incident was caught on camera.
Police said that about 20:00h, Constable Wilson observed a dark grey motor car trying to change lanes, causing congestion of traffic in the process. As a result, the Policeman approached the driver of the car.
Constable Wilson told his superiors that he told the GDF rank of the offence committed, and then instructed him to pull over into the corner of the road. However, the GDF 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, but Bowen ignored the warning and proceeded to further assault the officer by choking him and dealing him several blows about his body, causing him to sustain injuries.
Following the altercation, the GDF rank was arrested and escorted to La Grange Police Station pending investigations.
Meanwhile, Constable Wilson was escorted to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries and sent away. Both the GDF and Guyana Police Force (GPF) have condemned the actions of Bowen.
