The alleged assault of two police officers in the line of duty is a strike “at the heart of the administration of justice” in this country.
Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes stated that position as he remanded Sheridan Kishmar Carrington to Dodds prison for 28 days, despite strong arguments from his attorney Simon Clarke that he be granted pretrial liberty.
Carrington, a 32-year-old PSV conductor from Lynches, St Philip pleaded not guilty to assaulting Police Constable Edison Rock, an officer in uniform, on June 8 in the execution of his duties. He also denied resisting the officer and damaging a cellular phone belonging to him on the same date.
The accused also said he was not guilty of assaulting Sergeant Margaret Trotman in the line of duty.
His not guilty pleas led to prosecutor Sergeant Victoria Taitt putting forward submissions against bail.
She pointed to the serious nature of the offences and revealed that Sergeant Trotman was now nursing a dislocated shoulder, forcing her to go on leave and to undergo therapy.
“Other members of the public had to assist the police in subduing the accused man,” Sergeant Taitt further disclosed.
The prosecutor said Carrington was also known to the court for offences against the person and serious bodily harm.
However, Clarke submitted to the court that his client was a fit and proper candidate for bail. He argued that the prosecution provided no substantial grounds to show that his client would not appear for his hearings on the given dates or that he would interfere with witnesses.
Clarke also informed the court that Carrington was gainfully employed as a PSV operator and the father of a six-month-old baby.
“To remand him at this time would cause economic challenges for him and the child,” Clarke said, adding that the accused was willing to adhere to any bail conditions the court saw fit to impose.
Chief Magistrate Weekes responded saying the charges involving the police “were most serious”.
“When you look at it, it is an allegation that you are striking at the heart of the administration of justice,” he added.
Carrington will make his next appearance before the No.1 District Magistrates’ Court on July 7.
