A security guard at a lumber yard at Wismar and a Ministry of Agriculture driver appeared at the Christianburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm on a man they supposedly were apprehending after he had allegedly stolen some lumber.
Henrico Parks, a security guard at Downer’s Lumber Yard, Wismar, Linden, and Gladston Grosvenor, a Ministry of Agriculture driver, allegedly inflicted grievous bodily harm on Gordon Grenville on June 11 at Industrial Site, Wismar, Linden.
It was reported that the two accused were attempting to nab the virtual complainant who had reportedly stolen some lumber and when an alarm was raised he attempted to escape. The defendants gave chase and allegedly dealt the man several blows in an attempt to apprehend him. Grenville was handed over to the police and later admitted to the Linden Hospital Complex where he spent more than one week being treated for multiple fractures.
The court was told that on account of the injuries Grenville had sustained the two men were arrested by Linden police and brought before the court.
Attorney-at-law Joan Ward-Mars told Magistrate Ann McLennan that it was indeed a sad and unfortunate case against her clients. The attorney declared that it was because of similar unfair cases that citizens who witness serious criminal offences being committed do not come forward to testify, much less try stopping the perpetrators from committing the act. She described the men as law-abiding citizens who were only assisting police in their duties.
However, Police Prosecutor Inspector Stephen Telford requested that the two should not be granted bail since they may attempt to tamper with the complainant and other witnesses who are likely to give evidence in the matter. He said that they all live in the same One Mile Extension area. The prosecutor stated also that the two accused may attempt to flee the jurisdiction.
Inspector Telford also cautioned that in making a citizen’s arrest the two should have used minimum force.
Ward-Mars requested that the men be placed on reasonable bail since they could not afford a heavy sum. They were granted $80,000 bail each and placed on a bond to keep the peace until the conclusion of the case.
However, relatives were unable to garner sufficient cash to bail the two so one returned to the comfort of his home and the other was remanded to prison. They are to return to court on July 8.
