Despite assault of cop, mother in custody battle gets second chance

Days after being reprimanded and discharged over using abusive language and damage to property, a woman re-appeared before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton on a charge that she assaulted a police officer.

Avenel Innis admitted that she assaulted Police Constable Kizzy Roberts on August 24, thereby causing bodily harm.

The prosecution stated that on the day in question, after she was reprimanded at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, Innis went to Lot 2334 Stevedore Housing Scheme in search of her daughter, who was at the time in the care of her father. Innis had been charged with abusing the man verbally and damaging windows at his property.

The prosecution stated that she was asked to remove from the premises and she refused, after which she started to pelt bottles.

A report was then made at the East La Penitence Police station and Police Constable Roberts and two other officers went to the residence.

The prosecution stated that after Constable Roberts contacted Innis, she dealt a lash to Roberts’ head, for which she was later escorted to the police outpost.

When given the opportunity to speak, Innis, who was in tears, explained that she went to see her daughter because the child needed her.

Magistrate Octive-Hamilton then explained to Innis that on her last appearance she advised her to go to the legal aid clinic to solicit assistance to see her children because the genesis of the matter stems from Innis not getting custody nor visitation rights.

Innis then told the magistrate that when she went to the legal aid clinic no one was there to assist her so she left and never returned. “He come and tek me child wen she was born,” said Innis.

The magistrate, after consideration, reprimanded Innis and dismissed the case against her and also told her that police will take her to the legal aid clinic for assistance she needs.