Benschop granted self-bail on obstruction of traffic charge

Dec 17, 2010 News

Social Activist Mark Benschop was released on his own recognisance, after he appeared before Magistrate Chandra Sohan, yesterday, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Benschop, who was unrepresented, was charged with obstruction. He pleaded not guilty.
It is alleged that the defendant on Wednesday, last, on Cemetery Road, Georgetown, drove motor vehicle GLL 3101 and caused the said vehicle to remain at rest in such a manner, likely to cause obstruction to other road users.
Police Prosecutor Phillip Sheriff had no objections to bail. He told the court that on the day in question, Benschop drove his vehicle along Cemetery Road and stopped the same vehicle in the vicinity of the entrance to the Le Repentir dumpsite.
Sheriff said that Benschop then turned off the engine of the vehicle and exited it, causing obstruction of the free flow of traffic, going south to the dump site. He added that the defendant was told of the offence committed and was subsequently charged.
The Magistrate adjourned the matter and ordered Benschop to make his next court appearance on February 1, 2011.
On Thursday, last, Mark Benschop reportedly blocked the entrance to the Le Repentir dumpsite with his vehicle, stopping garbage trucks and other vehicles from gaining access to dump their refuse in the area.
Benschop had called on residents nearby the landfill to go out and block the landfill in an attempt to shut it down because it is a health hazard.
According to Benschop, residents in the La Penitence area are suffering from the stench that emanates from the dumpsite. He explained that his decision to stop the trucks, stemmed from a desire to help the residents who live in the vicinity of the dump site.
A few weeks ago, the landfill was set afire by unknown persons, adding to the anguish of nearby residents. Respiratory and skin ailments are said to be common among residents of Lodge and communities south and west of the dump site.
And appearing before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry, yesterday, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court was 30-year-old Dwayne Grant aka “Rawle Bharat,” who was charged with larceny from the person.
The allegation is that on December 11, last, the defendant stole one gold chain valued at $95,000, property of Sonia Rodney.
The accused, who was unrepresented, pleaded not guilty to the charge, after the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) was applied.
He told the court that when the police arrested him, Rodney stated that he was not the culprit.
Police Prosecutor Stephen Telford objected to bail on the grounds of the evidence against the defendant. He informed the court that the defendant was recently placed on bail for another offence.
Telford said that on the day in question, around noon, Rodney was walking on the western side of Light Street in Georgetown.
He said that Grant approached Rodney from the opposite direction and held on to a chain which was on her neck. Telford explained that the man made good his escape on foot, but was later apprehended by police ranks.
He added that the defendant was told of the offence committed, and was subsequently charged.
Telford requested that the Magistrate refuse bail, taking into consideration the seriousness of the offence.
The Magistrate denied bail. Grant is to make another court appearance on January 11, 2011.

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Benschop granted self-bail on obstruction of traffic charge

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