Policewoman secures $300,000 bail on prisoners’ escape charge

Aug 04, 2009 News

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By Latoya Giles

The female police Lance Corporal suspected of helping arson suspects, Kurt Thierens called ‘Bage’ or ‘Glasses’, and Colin Jones, called “Bonny”, escape from the Providence Police Station lockups has been formally charged for negligently causing their escape.
It is alleged that Diana Chichester, 44, on July 27 at the Providence Police Station, while having lawful custody of the two detainees, negligently and carelessly caused their escape. She was not required to plead to the indictable offence which was read to her by Magistrate, Priya Beharry, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Chichester is being represented by attorney at law, Patrice Henry.
The lawyer in a bail application said that his client is currently living in the Ruimveldt Police Station compound, but would be relocating to 46 Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara, once she is admitted to bail.
The Attorney further stated that the defendant was a serving member of the Guyana Police Force with 23 years of service. He said that at the time of the escape she was the only person on duty at the station.
Henry explained that Chichester was required to make periodical checks around the station compound and lockups and it was during one of those checks that the officer realised that the inmates were missing.
The lawyer cited the “poor administration of the Guyana Police Force” which allowed a lone female rank to supervise high profile prisoners.
He opined that the escapees could have tampered with the padlocks and made their escape while his client was doing her checks around the compound.
Henry said that Chichester poses no flight risk, noting that she has been in police custody since last Monday and has fully co-operated with the investigation.
The lawyer said that Chichester has been punished enough because she has been dismissed with no benefits.
The lawyer also argued that when high profile prisoner Jermaine ‘Skinny’ Charles had escaped from the Sparendaam Police lockups, the station sergeant was not dismissed nor was she even charged for the escape.
According to the lawyer, that same sergeant is still a serving member of the Guyana Police Force.
Police Prosecutor, Denise Griffith, did not oppose bail but sought to clarify the circumstances under which the rank was charged.
She said that the defendant was attached at the Providence Police Station and it was not the first time that Chichester had been the lone officer on duty.
Griffith said that around 3:15am, the lance corporal reported that the prisoners were not in the station lockups. She noted that the facility was secured with two padlocks. The prosecutor said that after the escape an investigation was conducted and the defendant was charged.
She further stated that the present issue is “Chichester, and not Jermaine ‘Skinny’ Charles who is now deceased”. The prosecutor also argued that the rank knew she had high profile prisoners in the lockups and should have taken precautionary measures. Griffith also said that after Chichester was arrested she had given investigating ranks conflicting reports.
She said that Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene, rightfully made his decision about her being dismissed.
The prosecutor said she is not opposing bail, but asked that it be substantial.
Chichester was granted $300,000 bail and is expected to make another court appearance on October 24.
Chichester was given her dismissal letter on Friday and ordered to hand over all items belonging to the Force. She was then placed in the East La Penitence Police Station lockups.
This newspaper has been told that a 66-year-old Rural Constable who was also on duty during the ‘breakout’ has also been dismissed.
Another female rank from another station has been transferred, since investigators believe that she was also part of the plot.
The former policewoman has alleged that she was patrolling the station compound, and when she re-entered the station the men were gone.
Investigators said that Kurt Thierens, called ‘Bage’ or ‘Glasses’, and Colin Jones, called ‘Bonny’, had provided them with crucial information about the Health Ministry’s arson.
Police officials claim that that incident was part of a plot by a political group to torch several government buildings and businesses in the city.
They said that the mysterious disappearance of the two men has affected their ability to build a stronger case against the masterminds and others.
Three other persons have been charged and remanded for allegedly setting the Health Ministry on fire. The men, Clayton Westford, 19, of Lot 7 West La Penitence who is an office assistant at the Ministry of Finance, Tedenna Bagot, 21, of Second Street, Alexander Village, and Keith Ferrier were all charged last week.
Since the fire at the Minsitry of Health on July 16, a number of persons were held in connection with the fire.
Former Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen and ACDA activist, Archie Poole, were arrested and detained at the Brickdam Police Station for questioning. The former magistrate was placed on $10,000 station bail.
While in police custody, police alleged that Poole had a cell phone in his possession. He has been charged and placed on self bail for having the “prohibited” item in his possession.

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