Crowds of curious onlookers yesterday flocked outside the Sangre Grande Magistrates’ Court hoping to get a glimpse of 12 police officers who appeared for misbehaving in public office after allegedly dousing a man with hot water two months ago.
The 12 — WPC Giselle Skeete, constables Allan Khan, Anil Mootoo, Keron Nanan, Joel Boodooosingh, Ryan Williams, Ashley Charles, Ravi Doon and Marvin Mendoza, Cpl Nicholas Vialva, Sgt Glen Elder and Insp Kenneth Rampersad — all attached to the Eastern Division, appeared before Magistrate Alexander Prince in the Sangre Grande First Court.
The crowd jeered as colleagues of the 12 protected them by lining the streets as they passed from the Sangre Grande Police Station to the courthouse, located across the street. Members of the crowd shouted “Don't hide them,” “Let them walk out,” “Why all yuh protecting them” and “Them police them wicked,” as the officers were whisked in and out of the courthouse in heavily tinted vehicles, a Ford Ranger and Toyota Prado, as their colleagues lined the pathway of the vehicles.
Inside the courthouse, colleagues of the 12 crowded the room and relatives of the accused questioned members of the media who were in the courthouse.
The officers are alleged to have been directly or indirectly involved in the alleged assault of Ralph Andre Lewis.
Lewis, 22, of Coronation Road, Sangre Grande, claimed that on February 24 he went to the Sangre Grande station after he learned he was wanted in connection with house breaking and larceny.
He was detained overnight and the following day, Lewis alleged that while being interrogated he was stripped naked and hot water was poured on his abdomen and genitals. He was hospitalised at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, for close to a week.
Skeete, Rampersad, Khan, Mootoo, Nanan, Boodoosingh, Williams, Charles and Mendoza were charged with misbehaviour in public office for allegedly being part of the assault.
Elder and Doon were charged for perverting the course of public justice for their role in allegedly attempting to cover up the assault, and Vialva was charged with failing to act after receiving information.
Vialva was granted $20,000 bail while his colleagues were each granted $250,000 bail.
He was the only one to enter a plea as his matter is being heard summarily. He pleaded not guilty. The other 11 have not been called on to enter a plea since their matter will be heard before a judge and must undergo a preliminary enquiry.
The officers were represented by Sade Lee-Duprey, Patrick Godson Phillips and Shivan Jadoo while the State is being represented by legal officer Insp Richard Taylor.
They were warned by Prince to stay at least 100 metres away from Lewis and not to make any contact with him. They will reappear in court on May 5.