A 50-year-old man was on Tuesday charged with assaulting a police constable, who allegedly found him smoking cannabis.
But Kenneth Small, a miner, who was read two charges by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in Georgetown, told the court that the constable tried to solicit a bribe from him and attacked him after he refused.
The charges against Small are that on November 4, at Baramita, he assaulted Constable Mervin Sam and that he was found smoking cannabis on the same day at the same location.
Small pleaded “guilty with explanation” to both charges.
Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers stated that on the day in question, around 5pm Constable Sam was on a foot patrol duty when he confronted Small, who was smoking a cigarette-like object. Upon seeing the police, Small allegedly held the object in his hand and covered it with his palm. It was at this time that the policeman identified himself and told Small that he suspected that he was smoking cannabis.
Small then allegedly flicked the cigarette-like object on the ground, leading to the constable attempting to arrest him but he was pushed off as the defendant ran away.
According to the prosecution, Sam went to the Baramita Police Station, where he lodged the suspected cannabis. Sometime around 9pm, Small went to the station and told the police that he was innocent. It was at this moment that Sam uplifted the suspected cannabis and showed the defendant, while informing him of the offence he had committed.
However, Small stated that the officer was passing him when he apparently smelled something and accused him. According to Small, Constable Sam told him to give him $50,000, which prompted him to ask if he worked with him.
The defendant stated that the constable began to beat him and was about to draw his weapon but he used that opportunity to run to the station, where he reported to the officer-in-charge that the police assaulted him.
Subsequent to Small’s explanation, his plea was changed to not guilty by the Chief Magistrate.
Small was granted a total of $40,000 bail and the case was later adjourned to February 6, 2017, when it is to be called at the Matthews Ridge Magistrate’s Court.
