A Linden man was yesterday charged with possession of cannabis and assaulting a policeman who attempted to arrest him for the offence.
Theon Wiltshire pleaded not guilty to two charges. It was alleged that on May 9th, at Mackenzie, Linden, he was found to be in possession of eight grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. It was further alleged that on the same day he unlawfully assaulted Police Constable Akeem Solomon, who was at the time attempting to arrest him.
According to the case against Wiltshire, he was stopped and searched by Solomon after he was observed to be acting in a suspicious manner. After the discovery of the cannabis, Solomon proceeded to tell the man of the charge, resulting in Wiltshire scrambling the constable. Solomon then allegedly sustained a punch and his police uniform was torn.
Petitioning for bail for Wiltshire, attorney Patrice Henry highlighted claims made by his client that he has sustained several injuries as a result of a beating he suffered at the hands of police. He added that his client’s requests to see a doctor for the injuries were also denied.
However, Prosecutor Bharat Mangru objected to bail. He said while the offence is a bailable one, other charges are expected to be laid against Wiltshire in relation to a robbery.
However, Wiltshire was granted $50,000 bail on the possession of cannabis charge and $20,000 bail on the assaulting of a peace officer charge.
Meanwhile, Divalon Braxton, also of Linden, pleaded not guilty to a charge which stated that on May 12th, at Lover’s Lane, Linden, he had in his possession 27 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.
According to Prosecutor Mangru, the cannabis was discovered after Braxton was stopped and searched by police, who noticed him acting in a suspicious manner.
Highlighting that no special reasons were given for Braxton to be granted bail, the magistrate ordered that the unrepresented man be remanded to prison.
Both men are expected to make their next court appearance on May 27th at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.
