Bus driver to face charge for alleged assault of handicapped man

Charges will be laid out today against the bus driver who allegedly assaulted a handicapped man in the vicinity of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, according to acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine.

Ramnarine, responding to questions posed to him at a press conference yesterday, related that the matter is currently under investigation and statements were obtained from both the assailant as well as the complainant in the matter.

Roger Gautier, 36, was reportedly assaulted by the driver of a minibus, bearing licence plate BNN 3629, on October 25, in the vicinity of the Harbour Bridge Mall. The altercation, according to eyewitness Paul Fraser, who wrote a letter to this publication addressing the matter, resulted after the bus driver collided with the back of Gautier’s vehicle. He then reportedly exited the bus and proceeded to the vehicle, where he verbally and physically abused the man, dealing a blow to his jaw.

Ramnarine stated yesterday that it is expected that the bus driver will face two charges; one in relation to the assault, and the other, a traffic violation.

Gautier, however, was unaware of any progress in the case up to last evening, when he related that he had received no call from the police.

He had stated on Sunday that the last bit of information he was in receipt of from authorities was that the man was unknown and could not be found.

Ramnarine could not comment on whether the bus driver is currently in police custody or had been released on bail.

The assailant was said to have been an employee of the Ministry of the Presidency, but up until last evening, this could not be confirmed by relevant authorities.