In a surprise turn of events, Bartica businessman Winton Miller Snr was yesterday charged with resisting police arrest following an internal investigation into allegations that he was a victim of police brutality.
One of the three police officers, who reportedly inflicted the blows on the 69 year old on June 5 rendering him blind in one eye, was charged with assault.
Miller who appeared at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning was granted $10, 000 bail by Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty after he denied the allegation.
The Tactical Services Unit (TSU) rank who has been identified only as Sears pleaded not guilty to the assault charge and was released on $20, 000 bail. This newspaper has been unable to ascertain the policeman’s full name and rank.
This newspaper was told that shortly before 11 am, the assault charge was read to the unrepresented policeman who was clad in civilian clothing.
Several minutes later the resisting-arrest charge was read to Miller. Defence counsel Peter Hugh who is representing the businessman in association with Glen Hanoman made a bail application which was later granted.
An upset Miller told this newspaper shortly after the court hearing that he was shocked at the turn of events. He said that on Tuesday the officer in charge of Bartica Police Station informed him that he had to go to the court the following day. Miller said that he was never told that he was being charged. He added that though there were three ranks involved in the matter, only one was charged and this is also surprising to him.
According to reports on the night of the incident a large audience had flocked Sunset Boulevard at Fourth Avenue, for a pageant.
Around 11 pm, a cadet officer dressed in plain clothes arrived and tried to `pope’ the show but the person manning the door informed him that he had to pay the $1,000 entrance fee like everyone else.
The infuriated rank reportedly travelled to the Bartica Police Station, where he changed into his uniform. He then returned to the club along with three other policemen, including two “black clothes” ranks.
Miller had recounted that the cadet officer then demanded that the proprietor of the establishment step forward and when he (Miller) identified himself he was told that he was under arrest and commanded to enter the police pick up. The 69-year-old businessman said that he refused to and later a gun was pointed at him by one of the ranks.
Reports are that Miller was then flung to the ground and trampled upon while being commanded to get into the police vehicle. He was kicked in his belly and his temple where he had an operation about eight years ago.
A patron, who reportedly tried to defend Miller was gun butted.
Shortly after the incident police announced that an investigation was being conducted by the Police’s Office of Professional Responsibi-lity (OPR). The file was later sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Miller later lost sight in one of his eyes as a result of the incident and has been told that he probably would never regain his vision.
