Mother, brother of slain Berbice teen freed on assault, disorderly behaviour charges
Two relatives of murdered Berbice teen cousins Isaiah and Joel Henry were freed on five charges levelled against them by the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
This publication was reliably informed that the charges were dismissed last week Wednesday for “want of prosecution” by Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts.
Colwyn Henry and his mother at the Sparendaam Police Station on December 15, 2020
Gail Johnson and her son, Colwyn Henry – the mother and brother of Joel Henry – who were charged back in December last, faced two counts of assaulting a peace officer, and one count of disorderly behaviour. Her son was charged separately for failing to produce a driver’s licence and resisting a peace officer.
The mother and son were represented by Attorney-at-Law Ronald Daniels.
The charges against them stemmed from a confrontation they had with ranks at the Sparendaam Police Station on December 15, 2020. Police ranks at a roadblock in front of the station had stopped a vehicle in which they were traveling. Henry, who was the driver, failed to produce his driver’s licence.
As a result, an argument broke out between Henry and some Police ranks who sought to arrest him. Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes had said that Johnson and Henry were assaulted by ranks. The lawyer had posted pictures on his Facebook page showing blood running from the mouth of a shackled Henry.
According to Hughes, Henry was assaulted by ranks after he failed to produce his driver’s licence, but instead showed them a photograph of the document that was on his phone.
However, Police Headquarters in a statement said that Henry hurled profanities at the ranks and pushed two ranks who attempted to arrest him. Police also said that he cuffed a Police Constable and bit him during a fight at the station and held on to another rank and ripped his clothing.
