Medical report on burnt boy received by police

The medical report on Junior Thornton who said he was burned by police officers while in custody in May at the Sparendaam police station has been submitted to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), police said yesterday.

Junior Thornton
Junior Thornton

Chairman of the PCA, retired Justice Cecil Kennard when contacted yesterday confirmed that he had received the medical report earlier in the day.

He added that he is expected to finish reviewing the file before tomorrow.

Police in a statement said that the medical report from the Georgetown Public Hospital was received on Tuesday.

“Investigations have been conducted by the Police OPR into allegations by Junior Thornton that his hands were burnt by the police while in custody at the Sparendaam Police Station,” the statement said.

The file has been submitted to the Chairman PCA, for his review and recommendations,” police added.

On Monday, the police had also accused the hospital of being tardy with the report while CEO of the hospital Michael Khan had told this newspaper that reports take time and that the police should respect the policies of the hospital.

Thornton, 19, of Lot 1 Eastville Housing Scheme, Annandale, East Coast Demerara, had told Stabroek News that he is now confined to his home, because, “I fear for my life and I am scared of the police. And I am saying this because that is how I feel inside.” He said his family has since advised him to avoid going out.

Thornton was burnt between May 25 and May 27 while he was in custody at the Sparendaam station.

The teenager also complained that he was denied medical attention and food while he was in police custody.