It took eight months, but two lawmen caught on video kicking two patrons at a 2017 fete faced the court on Thursday.
But they did not face the cameras.
Constable 1890 Justin Phillips, and Constable 1958 Bradley Cutting, both of Central Police Station, appeared in the District “A” Magistrates’ Court brought on private prosecutions in relation to an incident at a Waiki Jam at Pirates Cove, Bay Street, Bridgetown.
At the end of the hearing, while the men they were accused of assaulting, who themselves had been charged by police, walked out through the court door, the constables were spirited through the court office and out the back into a waiting vehicle by one of their own, thereby evading media photographers.
Phillips, who was represented by attorney Sally-Ann Seecheran, was accused that on June 18, 2017, while at Pirates Cove, he assaulted Dario Rico Stanton, and also assaulted Romario Mitchell Quintyne, occasioning him actual bodily harm.
Cutting, who has retained Queen’s Counsel Leslie Haynes, was accused of assaulting Quintyne and Stanton, occasioning them actual bodily harm. They both pleaded not guilty.
A third lawman, Constable 2099 Akeel Grant, who was accused of assaulting Stanton and Quintyne, occasioning them actual bodily harm also on that date, did not appear.
His lawyer Wendy Maraj, along with attorney Destini Haynes, said he was on sick leave suffering from a leg injury.
Attorney Kamisha Benjamin, who held for Queen’s Counsel Andrew Pilgrim on behalf of the two complainants Stanton and Quintyne, said they had no objection to the two lawmen being released on bail. However, she asked that the bail sum reflect the seriousness of the offences.
Unfortunate
“Given that these matters were filed since July 14, 2017, and we are now getting them to court, they should not be treated any differently to any other accused,” Benjamin submitted, adding it was “unfortunate that the state did not see it fit to charge the three”.
However, Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant told counsel the issue of bail should not arise since “they are not in anybody’s custody since they were brought by private prosecution”.
She adjourned the matters until September 19.
However Grant, who is on sick leave until April 13, will appear on April 16 so his charges can be read to him.
Meanwhile, Quintyne and Stanton will also reappear on September 19.
Quintyne, of Cordia Drive, Warners Park, Christ Church, was accused of failing to obey an order to move and keep moving, using the abusive language “You can’t put you **** hands on me” to Constable Cutting, and resisting him.
Stanton, of Harts Gap, Christ Church, was charged with assaulting and obstructing the three constables with intent to prevent his lawful apprehension.
Stanton is on $8 000 bail and Quintyne on $2 000. (HLE)
