11 Lindeners charged with pelting police during protests

Aug 15, 2012 News

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– one remanded for empty 12-gauge cartridge

Stemming from the upheaval in Linden, 10 men were yesterday charged for throwing missiles during protests in that mining town.
Four men, Jamal Somerset, 18, Kareem Asbey, 22, Ivan Webster, 29, and Delson Langkin, 42, were the first four men to face Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday. They were all charged with the offence of throwing missiles.
It was alleged that on Friday, August 10, the men, while on the McKenzie Bridge, in Linden, reportedly threw missiles to the annoyance of Andrew Cumberbatch, an Inspector of Police.
The defendants all pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Attorney-at-law Basil Williams, in association with James Bond, made an appearance for the men. Williams asked for nominal bail before telling the court that hostile disciplinary action is taking place in Linden, much to the dissatisfaction of the residents.
Williams argued that the alleged incidents occurred around two in the morning. He wondered how the police could have identified persons throwing missiles in the dark.
The Prosecutor, Burgett Grant, asked for substantial bail.
Glenroy Chapman, 34, and Ulrick Lowenfield, 23, were the next to face the court. They were jointly charged for reportedly throwing missiles, while Chapman alone had additional charges of assaulting a peace officer and possession of a component of ammunition.
The police alleged that on the same day, the two men threw missiles to the annoyance of members of the Joint Forces. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Bond represented the two men and in this matter asked for nominal bail.
Chapman later heard that on August 12 he had an empty 12 gauge cartridge shell in his possession although he did not have a licence. The other charge against Chapman was that on the same day he assaulted a police officer at the Wisroc Junction.
For these two charges, Williams represented the defendant. He said that the defendant had no previous or pending matters at the court. In relation to the special reason which is pivotal for the defendant getting bail, Williams said that empty cartridges which the police used to carry out their task are scattered across Wismar.
The lawyer noted that the armed forces were using tear gas, pellets and in some instances live rounds and the cartridge shells could be found even in people’s yards in Linden. The lawyer said his client has no knowledge about the cartridge and he only learnt that he was being charged for the article when he was brought to the police station in Linden. Williams also said that his client was sitting on the roadside when the police were rounding up persons. He said Chapman was one of those picked up on the roadway.
Prosecutor Grant objected to bail for the accused. She said her facts differed from what the lawyer was saying. She related that on the day in question the ranks conducted a search on the defendant and the article mentioned was found in the left, front pocket of his pants.
Meanwhile, in relation to the assault reportedly committed against the police officer, Williams said that the police were in Linden harassing persons. He said that the defendant was battered by the police and after being kept in police custody for two days, the ranks decided that they were going to charge him.
The defendant showed marks of violence to the court. Chapman had a wound on the shoulder and his lawyers argued that although it is no longer visible, the defendant was kicked and beaten about the body by the police.
Next to face Magistrate Octive-Hamilton was Garfield Jones, 44, and Dexter Benjamin 35. The men were charged with throwing missiles which reportedly occurred at Mc Kenzie Bridge on August 10.
Bond, his lawyer, insisted that the defendants were innocent of the charge and that they were not flight risks.
Ricky Fredricks, 28, was next. He was charged for reportedly using indecent language on August 12 at One Mile Public Road, Linden. Attorney Bond said the man was not a flight risk and that he was innocent of the charge.
Ron Bovell was last to face the Magistrate for reportedly having in his possession an offensive weapon on August 12. He allegedly had an ice-pick while at One Mile Public Road, Wismar.
The Prosecutor had no objections to bail.
For the offence of throwing missiles, all the defendants were placed on $7,500 bail. They will face court again on September 17. For possession of a component of ammunition, Chapman was remanded but was placed on $10,000 bail for reportedly assaulting the police officer.
Fredricks had to post $5,000 bail for indecent language and Bovell was also placed on $10,000 bail for having the alleged offensive weapon. In the afternoon hours another man, 21-year-old Alex Mark faced the Magistrate for allegedly throwing missiles. He was also placed on $7,500 bail and he too will return on September 17.

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