Two cops charged over alleged burning of boy at Sparendaam station

Inspector of Police Dexter Thornton has been charged with Attempting to Pervert the Course of Justice, while Constable Earwin Forrester has been charged with Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm in relation to the alleged burning of a boy at the Sparendaam police station.

A release from the police said that they appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court today before Magistrate Sueann Lovell where Inspector Thornton was placed on bail in the sum of $100,000.00 and Constable Forrester in the sum of $125,000.00.

They are to return to court on August 18, 2014.

The charges stem from investigations into the alleged burning of the hands of Junior Thornton while he was in police custody at Sparendaam Police Station.

The charges are a further severe blow for the police which has battled complaints of abuse and torture in recent years.