A biker, who was seen in a widely circulated video punching a traffic rank before jumping onto the peace officer’s bike, was today charged for several offences.
Nineteen-year-old Anthony Clarke of ‘B’ Field Sophia, appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Courts.
The first charge stated that on September 28, 2019 at Robb and Wellington Street, Georgetown, with intent to resist lawful apprehension, he assaulted Police Constable Joel Samuels, who was acting in the execution of his duties.
The second charge stated that on same day and at the same location, he behaved in a disorderly manner.
It was further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, he made use of threatening language towards Constable Samuels.
The last charge stated that on the same day, at the same location, he maliciously damaged one flash light valued $24,840 property of the Guyana Police Force.
Clarke pleaded guilty to the first two charges and was fined $20,000.
He was released on $20,000 bail for the offences he denied.
Clarke, who cried throughout the court proceeding, stated, “All I did was asked the police for my key. Me and him start to ramp so I jump on pun the bike and he start fuh ride but the traffic was busy so we ain’t reach far.”
According to information, on the day in question, the traffic rank stopped the teen because he committed a traffic offence. However, shortly after, the video showed the biker and the rank arguing.
Later into the video, the biker was seen getting on the motorcycle of the traffic officer who later rode away.
Prosecutor Seon Blackman objected to bail being granted to the defendant on the grounds that a stern warning needs to be sent so that persons would stop assaulting members of the force.
However, Clarke apologized to the rank who was present in court.
Magistrate McGusty instructed the teen to make his next court appearance on October 16.
