Guyanese man admits to assaulting two officers on duty

A Guyanese national whose name on the charge sheet was simply Looknauth says he was under the influence of alcohol when he committed four crimes against two police officers on Sunday.

Police Constables Derrick Boyce and Ronald Browne had responded to a report made from Looknauth’s residence at Wavell Avenue, Black Rock, St Michael when he resisted and assaulted them.

According to court prosecutor Sergeant Kenmore Phillips, the police went to the 48-year-old’s residence around 10:12 p.m. and found him at the bottom of the steps dressed in boxers and shoes.

Looknauth was very vocal at the time and was using abusive language. When asked what the problem was, he reportedly told the police that his fiancée, who had made the report, had his keys and he wanted them. Police tried to calm him down, with no success. Looknauth then declared that he was going up the stairs for his keys and if he didn’t get them, he would “kill she”.

He then pushed Constable Boyce in the chest, causing him to stumble, telling officers that if they wanted to fight, “I will fight wunna”.

The policemen tried again to calm the mechanic down, at which time he began to fight with them. The altercation lasted for about ten minutes. During that time, one of the officers called for backup and Looknauth was eventually subdued.

In explaining himself to Magistrate Bernadeth John, the first-time offender said, “I went home under the influence of alcohol and my fiancée asked me to leave. I asked her for my clothes and she gave me my clothes but she won’t give me my keys for my vehicle. This is not the first time she putting me out. I have money invested in the house, but I also don’t want nothing . . . . I just want to let we done and finish.”

However, the magistrate made it clear to Looknauth that he should not have fought the police. 

“I understand your head was hot, but you are the one who fought the police. You assaulted not one but two officers,” she pointed out.

Looknauth maintained that he was under the influence when the incident occurred.

Sergeant Phillips informed the court that both officers were injured during the incident and were on sick leave.

The matter was then adjourned until September 5, 2023, in order for the court to hear from the officers.

In the meantime, Looknauth is on $5 000 bail. He also had to surrender his travel documents to the court.