Sergeant Deon Lindo and Police Corporal Dave Persaud, two police officers who were accused of assaulting proprietor of White Castle Fish Shop Jermaine Langevine and two of his employees, had the charges against them dismissed yesterday after the complainants declined to proceed with the case.
The case was initially called at Georgetown Magistrates’ Court One before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry who granted the defendants bail in the sum of $50,000 on each charge against them. She then transferred the matters to Court Three before Magistrate Judy Latchman.
It was there that Langevine and workers Pearl Haynes and Dellon Williams each told the court that they no longer wanted to proceed with the matters against the police officers.
After indicting that they no longer wished to offer evidence against the defendants, the presiding magistrate informed the complainants that they would have to pay court costs in the sum of $50,000 each for wasting “precious judicial time” and stationery.
The allegation against Sergeant Lindo was that on August 5, 2011 at Hadfield Street, Georgetown, he unlawfully assaulted Haynes. On the same day also, he was alleged to have unlawfully assaulted Langevine so as to cause him actual bodily harm. Meanwhile, the allegation against Police Corporal Persaud was that he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Williams.
The accused denied the charges when they were read to them by Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry before whom they first appeared.
Prosecutor Sergeant Lionel Harvey had said that the police officers had responded to a report of noise nuisance at Langevine’s business premises. While there, Harvey said an argument ensued after which the complainants were assaulted by the officers. A police report was subsequently made, and an investigation was launched and this led to the policemen being arrested and charged.
When the policemen were initially charged, Lindo had indicated to the court that the complainants were not going to offer evidence against them. When asked, however, the complainants said that they wanted to proceed with the matters. At Court Three yesterday, however, the complainants said that they no longer wanted to proceed and the charges against the policemen were then dismissed.
