A minibus driver was yesterday slapped with thirteen charges after he assaulted two traffic ranks who were on duty last Saturday at Montrose, East Coast Demerara.
Okemi Harry, 30, of 93 Middle Street, Anns Grove, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool where he was granted bail amounting to $150,000 for the thirteen charges. He was charged with: 1) failure to wear a seat belt, 2) failure to carry a conductor, 3) prohibition of tinted glass, 4) failure to behave in a civil and orderly manner, 5) assault on peace officer (Lance Corporal Singh), 6) assault on peace officer (Constable Doris), 7) damage to property, 8) resist peace officer, 9) indecent language, 10) disorderly behaviour, 11) careless driving, 12) failure to wear a seat belt, and 13) failure to comply with police direction.
The matters were adjourned until December 19 for statements.
According to the police prosecutor, at about 17.00 hours last Saturday, Lance Corporal Singh and Woman Constable, Doris were conducting traffic duties on Montrose Public Road when they stopped minibus, BAC 2287, driven by Harry for speeding.
Harry was told of the offence committed and asked to produce his driver’s licence. While Lance Corporal Singh, who took possession of the licence, was writing the driver a ticket, he (Harry) attempted to take his licence from Singh, who resisted. The driver then proceeded to assault the police ranks. A video of the assault was widely available on social media.
The prosecutor noted that two days prior to Saturday’s incident, Harry was stopped for not wearing a seat belt, but drove off, thus earning the second failure to wear a seatbelt charge.
