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Multiple charges for Henry boys’ family in driver’s licence drama
Charged: Colwyn Henry sitting on the bench at The Sparendaam’s Police Station
Charged: Gail Johnson
Kaieteur News – Two family members of brutally murdered West Berbice teens, Joel and Isaiah Henry, have been slapped with a total of six charges following an incident that stemmed from a demand by a traffic cop for a driver’s licence.
Appearing at the Sparendaam’s Magistrate Court on Friday was Colwyn Henry, 24, and his mother, Gail Johnson, of Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice (WCB).
Henry and his mom were jointly accused of assaulting a peace officer and disorderly behaviour. They pleaded not guilty and were placed on $10,000 bail each for both charges.
Henry was also charged for failing to produce a driver’s licence and resisting a peace officer. He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was granted $10,000 bail.
Johnson was charged separately for resisting a peace officer and obstructing justice. She pleaded not guilty too and was placed on $10,000 bail as well.
The mother and son are expected to return to court on January 21, 2021.
According to reports, on December 15, a statement by the family’s attorney, Nigel Hughes, followed by a video uploaded on Facebook, which showed an altercation between a police officer and the two family members of the Henry boys.
It all started at a road block in front of the Sparendaam’s Police Station.
Henry was the driver of a car which was stopped by police. His mother and reportedly the father of one of the Henry boys were passengers in the car at the time.
According to their attorney, Hughes, they were returning home from a presentation held at Cathedral of Immaculate Conception on Brickdam. The Henry boys’ family had gone there to listen to a lecture from the head of the Argentine Forensic Team (EAAF) who is currently in Guyana to assist police in solving case of the slain Berbice teens.
When they were stopped at the road block, Henry was asked to produce his driver’s licence, but he did not have it on him at the time.
Hughes had indicated in his statement that Henry had shown the police a photo of his licence. Instead of letting him go, Hughes alleged that his rights were violated and both his clients were assaulted by the officers.
He claimed that Henry was beaten by at least six police ranks and thrown into cell. Hughes further alleged, because of the inhumane treatment, Johnson fainted and had to be transported via ambulance to a hospital.
A video was also posted on Facebook showing a policeman forcing Henry up a flight of stairs. In attempt, to presumably, assist her son, she held on to the officer and pulled him back. She was also seen in short altercation with the said policeman.
A few hours later, photos surfaced of a bloody mask and Henry with a split lips sitting on a bench with shackles on his feet. Another photo surfaced of Johnson sitting in a chair and later on stretcher heading to the ambulance.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) also sent out a statement calling Hughes’ version of events “grossly misrepresenting.”
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