Minibus driver remanded for assaulting, cop, resisting arrest

A minibus driver was on Wednesday remanded to prison by Magistrate Faith McGusty for series of charges including assaulting a Police Officer and damaging his uniform.

Javed Ahamad pleaded not guilty to the five charges which alleged that on September 13, 2019, at Camp Street, Georgetown he unlawfully and maliciously assaulted Police Constable Blackman.

He was also charged for resisting arrest, behaving disorderly, making use of threatening language towards the Police Officer and damaging the cop’s shirt, which is the property of the Guyana Police Force.

Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman objected to bail based on the seriousness and prevalence of the offences.

The minibus driver was remanded to prison until September 25, 2019, for these offences.

Meanwhile, Ahamad was taken before Magistrate Clive Nurse charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and dangerous driving; these offences allegedly occurred on September 13, 2019, at Camp Street.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted a total of $100,000 bail.

The court heard that on the day in question, Ahamad was the driver of minibus BVV 3428 and was obstructing traffic along Camp Street.

He was contacted by Officer Blackman, who instructed him to go to the Brickdam Police Station. As the officer was entering the minibus to accompany Ahamad to the station, he allegedly attempted to drive off causing the officer to almost fall out of the bus.

An argument ensued between Ahamad and the officer, which caused the defendant, who was under the influence of alcohol to cuff the officer to his face.

Ahamad reportedly told the victim that he is not afraid of the Police and that he would kill him, go to jail and spend some time. During the altercation, it is alleged that the defendant damaged the police officer’s uniform.