‘Irrational’ man gets CRD, bond

Admitting that his emotions got the better of him, a 30-year-old man today issued an apology to a police officer who he recently assaulted and resisted.

Brent Renaldo Stanford of No 33 Kingsland Gardens, Christ Church, expressed his regret before Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant today after spending two nights on remand at HMP Dodds. He had been offered bail when he appeared in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court but had no surety present to sign on his behalf.

He had also pleaded not guilty to the charge of using abusive language “I don’t give a r******* if you is police” towards Station Sergeant Phillip Trotman as well as resisting and assaulting the officer as he executed his duties on April 23.

When he appeared today however, he had a change of heart and admitted to the crime.

Station Sergeant Cameron Gibbons told the court that officer Trotman was in civilian clothes speaking to a female driver, who was behaving in an aggressive manner, when Stanford intervened. The officer showed him his certificate of appointment but the accused verbally abused him instead. He was asked for his name and address, which he refused to supply. The officer then told him that he was placing him under arrest, which resulted in the assault and resisting charges. Stanford was subsequently subdued and arrested.

“I was a little irrational in my actions and my emotions got the best of me. I apologise to the court and to Station Sergeant Trotman,” the first-time offender told the magistrate this afternoon as he explained his actions.

He was then convicted, reprimanded and discharged on the abusive language and resisting charges, but placed on a 12-month bond. If the bond is breached he faces a two-month prison sentence.

“Please learn to respect the police and more particularly when they are performing their duties,” Cuffy-Sargeant told Stanford before he was allowed to leave.