A Rose Hall, Corentyne man was yesterday remanded to prison after being charged with shooting at a policeman.
Marlon Abel was not required to plea to the indictable charge of discharging a loaded firearm when he appeared before Magistrate Marisa Mittelholzer at the Albion Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged that on May 8th, Abel discharged rounds at Police Constable 20947 Ian Beaton.
Prior to the encounter, Beaton and four other ranks were on a mobile patrol that was travelling towards Port Mourant, Corentyne. Abel, the court was told, is known to the police and was spotted by them riding a bicycle in an opposite direction.
As a result, on seeing him, the police driver turned around their vehicle and sought to get Abel to stop. However, he rode faster in a bid to escape but ended up falling between some wooden stands along the roadway.
Abel then ran further west into the Independence Arch Road, in the direction of the Rose Hall Municipal Market. The ranks gave chase, at which point Abel allegedly pulled out a gun, from which he discharged three rounds, forcing the pursuing ranks to seek cover.
Three of the ranks, who were armed, returned fire but failed to hit Abel, who continued running in the direction of the Rose Hall Police Outpost, where he disappeared.
On May 10th, police visited Abel’s home, where he was arrested.
Sergeant Orin Joseph, prosecuting, objected to bail on the grounds that the penalty for the offence is life imprisonment.
In addition, Joseph said, three similar charges will be laid against the defendant, who had previously faced gun-related charges.
Abel is to return to court on June 3rd for a report by police.
