Seven women who were arrested outside the residence of Commissioner of Police Henry Greene at Lamaha Springs were yesterday charged with taking part in an illegal procession and they appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Vanessa Belle, Melissa Leacock, Andrea Marks, Eslyn Jackson, Shondell Hope, Ann Adams and Natasha Johnson all pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on December 21 at Lamaha Springs they took part in a procession without permission.
Attorney-at–law Basil Williams in association with James Bond who represented the women said that his clients are religious people and they were not protesting but went to the residence to pray for the commissioner.
He said further that police officers arrived at the scene and petitioned the defendants to remove from the location and gather somewhere else.
In presenting the police facts to the court, Prosecutor Lionel Harvey said that the defendants were seen by the police officers in front of the commissioner’s premises carrying on a procession.
Harvey added that checks were made by the officers to see if any permission was granted to the gathering and it was discovered that they were not given any permission.
As a result the police approached the defendants and they were arrested and charged.
After listening to the facts the court informed the women that they were being placed on self-bail and on a bond to keep the peace pending the determination of the matter.
The matter will be called again on January 9.
