A man was arraigned yesterday on two charges of unlawful assault, using abusive language and a charge of disorderly behaviour at a police outpost.
Denzel Kistoo, who appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, is alleged to have unlawfully assaulted Miguel Sand on January 5 at Georgetown. On the same day, Kistoo is accused of assaulting Sonia Johnson. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Kistoo was also charged with using abusive language towards Johnson on December 11, 2010, which he admitted. He also admitted that on January 4, at Georgetown, he made use of abusive language to Johnson and on January 5, he behaved disorderly at the East La Penitence Police Outpost.
The prosecutor told the court that the facts were as charged.
When Kistoo appeared before the magistrate, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, he had visible swelling to his forehead, which he sustained after repeatedly hitting his head against the wall of the jail in the court precinct.
The man, who had blood streaming down his face from the injury, was protesting having been arrested and taken to court. He wept loudly as he entered the court room.
When given a chance to respond, the dishevelled Kistoo told the court that he had used abusive language towards Johnson because she used abusive words towards him while they were both arguing.
He added that the reason he behaved disorderly at the police outpost was because the police there were “roughing” him up.
After hearing the case, the magistrate placed Kistoo on $5,000 bail for each of the assault charges, and fined him $5,000 each for the abusive language charges. She reprimanded Kistoo and then discharged him of the disorderly behaviour charge.
The matters for which Kistoo was bailed will be called again on January 11.
