‘Drunk’ Lethem policemen dump beaten man in hospital

Nov 19, 2010 News

Lethem residents are complaining of police brutality and say this man, Jude Joseph, was beaten, taken to the hospital, then it was reported that he escaped.

…then fabricate victim’s escape

Lethem residents are calling for authorities to investigate a case of what has been described as police brutality against a resident.
Not only was the resident beaten so badly that he ended up in the hospital, but at least one eyewitness has alleged that the policemen, among whom was a rank from the Special Branch, were both drunk at the time of the incident on Sunday night.
In an apparent attempt to cover up the episode, the two law officials took the 21-year-old to hospital, left him there and then reported that he had escaped from custody.
Kaieteur News understands that on Sunday night, at Tabatinga, Central Rupununi, Jude Joseph, a resident of that area, had been drinking and was sitting near the roadside when the two officials approached and accused him of “wanting” to steal a motorcycle.
One of them, despite Joseph’s protestations, then allegedly used a piece of wood to beat him. The incident was witnessed by at least one resident who subsequently gave a statement.
The man lost consciousness for several minutes and was eventually picked up and taken to the police station where he was locked up.
On Monday, a senior Superintendent of Police saw his condition and reportedly ordered him to be conveyed to the Lethem Hospital.
He was reportedly left there and the ranks then returned to the police station and allegedly reported that their prisoner had escaped.
However, residents have disputed this and said that Joseph had been beaten so badly that he was hardly able to walk.
On Tuesday, a Kaieteur News reporter, on learning of the incident, visited the hospital where a policeman was seen hurriedly removing handcuffs from Joseph who was on a bed.
Joseph related his version of the story and denied that he escaped.
Residents on Tuesday maintained that it was a clear case of police brutality and said that they are fearful that the matter would be swept under the carpet.