Two weeks after a man said to be mentally ill and holding a toy gun walked into the Chief Magistrate’s Court while it was in session and instructed everyone to freeze, new security measures have been put in place.
Yesterday two police officers were positioned at the front gate scanning and searching persons and their bags as they entered the compound. The gate which was once wide open is now ajar, allowing only a few persons to enter at a time.
When Stabroek News arrived at the court around 9:15 yesterday morning, the ranks were observed carrying out their functions diligently and persons complied without complainant.
Superintendent of Police Bacchus who is in charge of prisoners at the court was also observed repeatedly calling on persons to clear the steps where many tend to congregate and he was also assisting the two officers.
Stabroek News was told that the two officers would be positioned behind the gates until everyone had left the courtyard.
As the morning progressed and the number of persons going to court decreased, the officers loosened up a bit and persons were seen walking into the compound freely.
Stabroek News was told that around noon two Wednesdays ago a man who appeared to be of unsound mind walked into the courtroom while Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle was on the bench. He was holding a brown and black gun, which later turned out to be a toy, in his hand and he shouted “Hands up. Nobody move.” The man was standing just behind the court dock.
A woman who was present in court said that everyone in the courtroom was dumbfounded and before anyone could make an attempt to apprehend him, he fled.
At the time of the incident there were no armed policemen in the courtroom.
The man was later apprehended with a toy gun stuck in his waist and was admitted to the Georgetown Hospital’s Psychiatric Ward.
Following the incident Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee visited the court and measures to improve security, especially around the courtrooms, were discussed.
