An Essequibo man was remanded to prison when he appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson last week charged with escaping from custody, indecent assault, unlawful wounding and using threatening language.
Deon Bess pleaded guilty to escaping from the Suddie Police Station compound on June 7 while he was on a criminal charge. He pleaded not guilty to the other three charges. It is alleged that on June 8 at Maria’s Lodge he used threatening language to Malaika Portman. He is also alleged that on the same day, he unlawfully wounded Jason Springer. Further on March 19, it is alleged, he indecently assaulted Amanda Persaud.
Bess, 24, of 9 Maria’s Lodge said of the escape from custody charge that he heard the police officers say “they gun deal with me so I run away”. He added “I know that they does always beat yuh, that’s the only reason I run away.” He proceeded to claim that he was beaten by the police and took off his shirt to prove his allegation.
Police Prosecutor Stephen Telford said that the offences took place on different dates. He asked for bail to be refused.
Telford said that as it relates to the assault charge, the complainant was walking on the road when Bess told her good afternoon. She did not answer him and he placed his hand on her buttocks and told her that next time she must answer him.
He said that Bess knew of the charges against him that was why he ran away and that no police officer beat him, he only made up the allegation as an excuse.
Bess was remanded and the matter transferred to Suddie Magistrate’s Court for Thursday.
