Weeks after former government minister Simona Broomes and her driver/ bodyguard trailed two men and confronted them in Sophia, several charges were this morning read to them.
Broomes and Dexter Austin both pleaded not guilty to the charges and were released on their own recognizance (self bail). They were instructed to make their next court appearance on August 31 for report.
Broomes and Austin appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly.
It is alleged that on August 3, 2020, at Sophia, Broomes and Austin unlawfully restrained Dion Younge, a PPP/C City councilor.
It was further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, Broomes and Austin used threatening language towards Younge.
The third charge stated that on the same day and at the same location, Broomes and Austin caused public terror. It was further alleged that Broomes assaulted Younge so as to cause him actual bodily harm. The last charge stated that Austin discharged a firearm within 100 yards of public space.
A few weeks ago, Broomes in a live video broadcast on her Facebook page was seen seated in the front passenger seat of a vehicle, following a white car, bearing registration plate PYY 5565.
While seated, she told her followers that she was at home doing her morning routine when she heard a loud banging. Upon investigating, she claimed she observed an individual removing several “no fishing” signs that are located near her property. She said the signs were erected for security purposes.
In the video which is widely circulated, Broomes alleged that the individual said he wanted to show who was in power and running the country, while also using expletives towards her and even threatened her with a gun.
Shortly after, she said the individual got into the white car, which was parked a short distance away, and it drove off.
It was then that Broomes and Austin decided to trail the vehicle to Sophia, where two men exited and she followed behin.
In the live video, one of the men was seen carrying the no-fishing signs and a hammer. Broomes began to ask the men questions and persons in the neighborhood came out on the street.
In the video, Younge appeared to have been slapped. A group of men then surround him and at that time, Broomes began walking in the opposite direction while relating to a woman what had earlier transpired.
