Kwame McCoy fined $20,000 for assaulting Mark Benschop

Mar 03, 2017 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News

-other charges dismissed

City Magistrate Annette Singh yesterday found former Presidential Liaison Officer Kwame McCoy guilty of assaulting social activist, Mark Benschop, at the conclusion of the trial in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Kwame McCoy fined $20,000 for assaulting Mark Benschop

McCoy who resides at Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara, was fined $20,000 and given two weeks to pay or in default, one month imprisonment.
The incident occurred on May 5, 2011, outside McCoy’s Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara home, while Benschop was attempting to take photographs of McCoy’s residence.
According to information at the time of the incident, Benschop was running an online radio and website and was investigating reports that McCoy was building a house worth $100M.
When Benschop had given his testimony via Skype, he stated that while he was taking photographs of the house he was confronted by McCoy and two other individuals, and he was assaulted by McCoy.
The court heard that McCoy was the individual who smashed Benschop’s vehicle window and took his computer and other valuables from his vehicle.
McCoy had the charges of damage to property and simple larceny dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
During the trial, Benschop had told the court that he was fearful for his life and recalled that McCoy attempted to grab his camera out of his hand and ripped his shirt in the process of the scuffle.
Benschop further told the court that he managed to flee the scene with assistance from a trucker who gave him a ride to a nearby taxi service where he then boarded a taxi and headed to the city.
During the ride, Benschop said that he phoned several media operatives and informed them of what had transpired.
Benschop also recounted that he was sent for a medical and was taken to the Brickdam Police Station.
McCoy in an interview with the reporters after the decision stated “the entire thing is politically motivated and I am innocent in the matter. Benschop and his colleagues fabricated the entire story. I wasn’t even in the area when Benschop was allegedly assaulted. Benschop could not have identified the individuals who he had the altercation with, so I am the person who will pay.”
When the People’s Progressive Party/Civic activist was first charged, he pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a total of $275,000 bail.

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