Prisoner causes courtroom ruckus - Lunges at magistrate

Prisoner causes courtroom ruckus – Lunges at magistrate

Aug 18, 2009 News

A man who allegedly stole a cell phone caused uproar at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday. Randy Samuel had to be subdued by several police officers as he attempted to reach the magistrate’s bench. The presiding magistrate was Priya Beharry.

The allegation was that the defendant stole a cell phone from Shennel Rodriques and as the magistrate was reading the charge to Samuel, he continuously interrupted the magistrate.

“Yuh worship I pleading insanity because I ain’t known nothing about no phone so I want you find a lawyer for me because I got $50,000 to pay de lawyer”.

The defendant also made threats to the virtual complainant, who looked very afraid.

The magistrate subsequently ordered that Samuel be medically examined.

After hearing that he would be remanded to prison until September 11, the roughly dressed man insisted that the magistrate change the date because September 7 was his birthday.

“Yuh worship I want September 7, because is meh birthday and I don’t want to be in prison”.

The magistrate ordered that he be removed from the court room. Samuel had to be bodily lifted by several police officers after he attempted to lunge at the magistrate.

Yesterday’s courtroom disturbance was added to the list of magistrates being threatened while on the bench.

Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson, Magistrate Hazel Octive Hamilton and Magistrate Nigel Hawke have all received threats by prisoners.