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Colwyn Harding assault trial commences…Relatives, others stage protest outside court
…demand officers be charged
While an intense trial was nearing its conclusion yesterday at the Providence Magistrate’s Court, relatives accompanied by a strong support group for Colwyn Harding staged a protest outside of the court.
The supporters and relatives insisted that the assault charge against Harding be dropped and that the police officers who allegedly tormented and sodomized him be charged forthwith.
The Colwyn Harding support group
The summary trial for the alleged assault of a peace officer by Colwyn Harding commenced yesterday before Magistrate Leron Daly who presides at the said court.
The trial was of course not without the murmurings of Harding’s supporters who were also present in the courtroom.
Inspector Khan, Corporal Lowe and Constable Devin Singh who relatives say are at the heart of the torture allegations made by Harding, were summoned to give evidence against him.
Cross examining Inspector Khan was Defence Attorney, Nigel Hughes who stood beside Harding during that period.
An attentive Harding was clad in a light blue denim jeans and a plaid shirt. He repeatedly exchanged stares with his mother who sat in a corner of the courtroom.
During the cross-examination of Inspector Khan, Harding tried to contain his emotions as the officer gave his submissions. In some cases, Harding and the Inspector stared at each other as he answered questions posed by Hughes.
Further, during the trial the Inspector answered questions as to whether he had to date found any admissible evidence to show that Harding was connected to an alleged break and enter and larceny allegation.
Harding and the officer exchanged stares and then he replied, “No I did not,” to members of the court.
Harding at this point was seen nodding his head and clenching his fists as he stood beside his lawyer.
The Inspector in response to many of Mr. Hughes’s questions said, “It is hard for me to say yes or no. I have to explain how things happened.”
However, the Attorney insisted that all he required was direct answers to his questions. But even this was difficult for the witness to adhere to as the Magistrate on several occasions had to stress the need for him to answer the Attorney accordingly.
It was also noted that the officer did not make any formal note about the alleged break and enter allegation which led to the assault case. After several hours of submitting evidence, the matter was adjourned and is expected to continue on March 4.
Between several laughs and sighs of disgust during the testimony being given by the officer, a stronger call was echoing outside of the courtroom.
An elderly man, who is a father of a male just a little older than Harding, told this newspaper that his heart goes out to the youth as he is extremely troubled by the entire matter.
“I am not a part of the support group, but I know of the case, and today I heard there was going to be a protest here and I just had to come and give my support. This young man has been through a lot. He has been violated and had to be out of the country to be given a proper medical examination. The records, according to the news contradicted what the local hospital said and proved that Harding is not telling some tale.
I am so bothered by this situation. It is disheartening to know that Harding has to face an assault charge, considering all that he has been through. Why haven’t they charged the officers up to now? They are really ridiculous, and the way this matter is being dealt with just makes you lose hope in the system.”
The protestors held placards which had inscriptions such as, “Rohee and Brumell are drinking the blood of our sons,” “Prison officers, Police, Doctors, Minister of Health—All are Guilty,” and “Charge Constable Singh for torture.”
As the trial continued for some time, the protestors were heard shouting, “This is not only grossly disrespectful but proof that the process for the dispensation of justice is broken. We have no faith in this system and everyday that goes by and these officers are not facing charges is just justice being delayed. Harding should not be made to go through this. “
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