Kwame McCoy to be charged for assaulting Mark Benschop

Former Press and Publicity Officer at the Office of the President under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic

(PPP/C) Administration, Kwame McCoy, will on Wednesday appear in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to face three charges relating to a 2011 altercation with former treason accused turned politician Mark Benschop. This was confirmed by Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Tuesday.
Blanhum said that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has advised that McCoy be charged with simple larceny, malicious damage to property and assault committed on Benschop.
McCoy was recently questioned after Police reopened the 2011 case and was subsequently released on self bail.
The attack occurred outside McCoy’s Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara home on March 5, 2011, while Benschop was attempting to take photographs of McCoy’s house which was under construction at the time.
Benschop claimed that he was forced to flee the scene on foot and seek refuge in a resident’s yard following a scuffle with McCoy, and after attempts were made to take away his camera.
Benschop repeatedly identified McCoy as the individual who attacked him.
He also alleged that McCoy damaged his vehicle and removed several items.
However, McCoy told reporters that Benschop and at least three other men turned up at his home and illegally entered the premises. McCoy’s home was under construction and according to him, Benschop and his group broke a window.
Last month, McCoy and three others were arraigned and subsequently placed on bail for a 2010 incident in which faeces was thrown onto columnist Freddie Kissoon in Robb Street, Georgetown.