…fined $177,500, driver’s licence suspended
Two traffic ranks were on Thursday evening assaulted by three men – one of whom is reportedly a Staff Sergeant at the Guyana People’s Militia, a branch of the Guyana Defence Force. The incident reportedly took place at about 17:00h on Cornhill and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown.
The ranks who were assaulted are Constables Giles and Cummings.
Based on reports received, Constable Giles was performing duties on Cornhill and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, when he observed a heavily tinted motor car bearing registration number PSS 5836 had stopped on the roadway, thus resulting in the obstruction of the free flow of traffic.
As a result, the rank approached the driver and informed him of the offence he had committed and as such, requested for him to produce his documents but he allegedly refused.
However, Constable Cummings, who was on mobile patrol and in the vicinity of the incident, went to inquire what was happening and upon being told of the violation, he too requested the driver to produce his documents but again, he refused.
Following the second refusal, Constable Cummings cautioned the driver and attempted to arrest him during which the soldier physically assaulted him.
At this time, the two other occupants of the car exited and they too started to assault the two ranks. During the commotion, additional assistance was summoned, thus resulting in the arrest of the three men.
They were taken to the Brickdam Police Station and upon inquiries, the driver gave his name as Keron Joseph, a Staff Sergeant of the Guyana People’s Militia of Wisroc Housing Scheme, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice). At that point, he still did not produce any documents.
A breathalyser test was carried out on him and it proved that he was above the legal alcohol consumption limit and so were the other two occupants. They remain in Police custody as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, Joseph made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Clive Nurse where he was charged with several offences to which he pleaded guilty.
He was slapped with two counts of assault of a Peace Officer and fined $20,000 or an alternative of four weeks’ imprisonment. He was also fined $10,000 for resisting arrest; $20,000 for using indecent language; $20,000 for failure to produce driver’s licence; $30,000 for driving an uninsured vehicle; $20,000 for driving an unlicensed vehicle and was also fined 20,000 for driving an uncertified vehicle.
In addition, he was fined $10,000 for driving under the influence of alcohol and $7500 for the prohibition of tinted glass. Finally, he was also fined 20,000 for Conduct of Driver. All charges attract a four-week imprisonment if he fails to pay the fines.
On the other hand, he pleaded not guilty for negligently interrupted the free flow of traffic and was placed on $50,000 bail. He will return to court on January 7, 2020, for trial. His driver’s license was suspended for one year.
Less than a month ago, Kester Bowen, a rank attached to the Guyana Defence Force, was charged for assaulting a traffic rank and obstructing the same officer from executing his duties.
He was granted bail in the sum of $100,000. Lance Corporal of the GDF’s Coast Guard was caught on camera assaulting Constable Wilson in the vicinity of the western side of the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
It was reported that on October 9, 2020, Constable Wilson observed a dark grey motor car trying to change lane and, in the process, caused congestion of traffic.
As a result, the policeman approached the driver of the car and realised that it was a GDF rank. As such, he reportedly informed 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.
