A minibus driver and his conductor were yesterday slapped with a series of charges, including the assault of a police rank and resisting arrest.
Rawle Bruce, 24, a conductor of Agricola, East Bank Demerara, and Kerwin Lynch, 29, a bus driver of 23 Sisters Village, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
The first charge stated that both men on July 27 at Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, resisted arrest from police officer Marlon Azore who was acting in the execution of his duties. It was further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, they unlawfully assaulted Azore, who was acting in the execution of his duties.
The third charge stated that on the same day and at the same location, the men used threatening language towards Azore, who was acting in the execution of his duties.
The last charge stated that on the same day and at the same location, they behaved in a disorderly manner.
Both men denied all the charges after they were read to them by the magistrate.
Facts presented by Prosecutor Seon Blackman stated that, on the day in question, traffic officer Azore was performing duties along Avenue of the Republic when he noticed the bus driver committing a traffic offence. The court heard the officer proceeded to stop the bus and told Lynch to drive to the Brickdam Police Station.
The officer then entered the bus and the bus driver began driving, while the conductor kept telling the driver not to go to the police station. The prosecutor went on to tell the court that the men came out the bus and dealt the officer several cuffs before driving away, leaving him behind.
Prosecutor Blackman objected to bail being granted to the defendants on the grounds of the prevalence of the offence and the fact that the officer was executing his duties.
The magistrate, after listening to the facts, released the men on $35,000 bail each. They were instructed to make their next court appearance on August 14, 2019.
