Constable narrowly escapes perjury sentence

It was an unforgettable day for Constable Forde at the Wales Magistrate’s Court yesterday when Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton remanded him to prison for perjury and ordered him to sit on the prisoners’ bench.

However, the order was later rescinded after the prosecutor, another officer and an attorney made strenuous pleas on his behalf. He was let off with a warning after he had apologized and an order was made that departmental action should be taken against him.

It all started when he was ordered to reappear in court in connection with a matter and he didn’t.

After he was not present an arrest warrant was issued and he appeared before another magistrate who he informed that he was not aware of the matter. However, the magistrate had written down what he had told her and when he appeared before Magistrate Octive-Hamilton again yesterday it was read out to him and the magistrate rebuked him saying that what he had said was not the truth. He attempted to offer an excuse but after several probing questions from the magistrate he could not absolve himself.

The magistrate then told him that the court’s business was a serious matter and informed him that what he had said “was a total and blatant lie and that constitutes perjury.” She told him that he had shown blatant disregard for the court and remanded him to prison for seven days for perjury.

The fascinated courtroom crowd gasped as a shocked and red faced Forde was ordered to sit on the prisoners’ bench. The magistrate remarked that she didn’t know what was wrong with some members of the Guyana Police Force. She said further that “as long as you are a witness in a matter it is imperative that you attend court.”

However, two other officers for whom arrest warrants had been issued managed to have them recalled after giving plausible explanations.

Later in the afternoon when the perjury matter was revisited, the prosecutor told the magistrate that he looked upon the constable as a godson and was sure that after what had transpired Forde would not do it again. Another officer who is senior to Forde also pleaded for him while attorney-at-law Gloria Stephney added her voice on Forde’s behalf. The magistrate told a repentant-looking Forde that he should not lie as “the truth will set you free”. She then informed the officer that she expected some sort of departmental action to be taken against Forde and would await a report. She stated that if that didn’t happen she would not be taking such a lenient line in future. The officer assured her that it would be done. She then cancelled the order and told Forde to go and “do good.”

Forde, looking much relieved, was then told to apologize and he said: “I apologize, I’m very much sorry.” He then sat down again on the prisoners’ bench and had to be prodded to leave. Beaming a half smile he returned to the prosecution’s side of the courtroom.