A minibus driver was on Wednesday charged with seven offences, including, the assault of a cop on duty, while his conductor was charged with obstructing the officer from carrying out his duties and the use of indecent language.
The courtroom of Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul heard that on January 9, at Plaisance Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara, Damion Thornhill, of 330 South Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara, allegedly assaulted Police Constable Hersal David who was carrying out his duties on the said day. Thornhill, was also charged with insulting the officer, behaving disorderly, use of indecent language, and driving his bus BVV 1636 in a manner dangerous to the public. Thornhill pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The accused was also read charges which stated that on January 8, being the driver of his bus, he interrupted the free flow of traffic on the Plaisance Railway Embankment and that he failed to produce his driver’s licence when he was pulled over by the same officer. Thornhill pleaded not guilty to those charges as well.
Thornhill’s conductor, Delroy Price was also charged alongside him, with using indecent language, behaving disorderly and obstructing Police Constable David, a peace officer who was acting in the execution of his duties. Price also pleaded not guilty to his three charges.
Police Prosecutor David Goodridge, who had no objections to the two men receiving bail, told the court that on January 8, on the Plaisance Railway Embankment, Police Officer David who was in uniform and on duty, observed, mini bus BVV1636 which was being driven by Thornhill, committing a traffic violation. Officer David proceeded to stop the bus and asked the driver to report to the Sparendaam Police Station. According to the Prosecutor the driver never went to the police station.
On the next day, January 9, Officer David saw the same bus committing another traffic violation and proceeded to stop it again. Goodridge told the court that the driver who became annoyed with the cop, dealt him several cuffs about his body. Thornhill and Price also used indecent language towards the officer. According to the prosecutor, Officer David had to be rescued by public-spirited citizens from a further beating from Thornhill.
Attorney-at-Law Tiffany Jeffrey who represented the men asked the court for them to be released on reasonable bail.
Magistrate Ally-Seepaul granted Thornhill $60,000 bail for the assault charge, $30,000 bail on the obstructing traffic charge, and self-bail on the other five charges. Price was also granted $60,000 bail for obstructing the officer from carrying out his duties, and was placed on self-bail for his other two charges.
The matter was later adjourned until March 7 for disclosure and fixture.
