Two men were on Monday placed on $50,000 bail after they denied allegations that they shouted at and cursed a police officer.
According to Prosecutor John Singh, Lloyd Sadloo, 34, a carpenter of Lot 6 Quamina Road, Beterverwagting and Mervin Liverpool, 37, of D’Urban Backlands raised their voice on a police officer above the normal tone and cursed a police officer.
Both men pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour charges because they wanted their troubles to be over with but when Magistrate Zamilla Ally asked if they agreed with the prosecutor’s account of what took place they both said they did not. As a result, not guilty pleas were recorded for them.
Sadloo said the police manhandled him, causing him head injuries. Liverpool said he had intervened had asked them why they were beating Sadloo and he was greeted with a vicious slap.
Although the men continuously asked for their pleas to be recorded as guilty, the magistrate told them she could not enter guilty pleas if they disagreed with the prosecutor’s facts.
Prosecutor Singh objected to bail based on the fact that the men had disrespected police officers. He also said Sadloo was jumping up and down, causing a commotion in the Sparendaam Police Station and that is what caused him to be injured.
The court was also told that Sadloo had previously been charged with attempted murder but was acquitted, while Liverpool had previously been fined $150,000 for larceny.
When the men heard that bail was set at $50,000, they were dumbfounded and questioned the magistrate’s ruling.
Liverpool said, “How can you give me $50,000 for barely asking a police officer why he’s abusing the man?” He added, “This is bare stupidness. Ya ain’t get no rights in this country!”
Sadloo was shocked at the ruling and asked the magistrate if a man is jumping up and down how is it he can burst the middle of his head.
Other charges were also read against Sadloo.
It was alleged that he drove his vehicle in a dangerous manner and also failed to stop at a traffic light.
The man pleaded guilty to both charges although when the prosecutor read the facts he shook his head and laughed.
Prosecutor Singh said it was observed that Sadloo failed to comply with a traffic light on Sheriff Street and as a result another car had to swerve. He said a police patrol car was nearby and gave chase but Sadloo refused to stop and kept overtaking vehicles until he was finally caught at Atlantic Ville, where an arrest was made.
Although he pleaded guilty, a not guilty plea was recorded for him after he again challenged the prosecutor’s account of what occurred.
He was granted $100,000 bail on the dangerous driving charge and $5,000 bail on the failure to stop at the traffic light charge.
The next hearings for both men will be on December 23rd at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.
