A 20-year-old woman who was accused of repeatedly hitting a Police Sergeant in the face, causing her spectacles to break, was granted bail yesterday, after she was charged with six offences.
Keisha Burke faced six charges, which were read by Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The charges allege that on May 13, 2019, at East La Penitence, Burke unlawfully assaulted Peace Sergeant Odecia Johnson, who was acting in the execution of her duty and on the same date and at the same location, Burke damaged a pair of spectacles valued $40,000, belonging to Johnson.
It was also alleged that on May 13, at East La Penitence, Burke unlawfully assaulted Johnson, causing actual bodily harm, and on the same date and at the same location, she resisted woman Sergeant Johnson, who was acting in the execution of her duty.
The final two charges stated that on May 13, at East La Penitence, Burke, within public hearing, made use of indecent language, and on the same date and at that location, she behaved in a disorderly manner.
Burke denied all the charges, after which Prosecutor Seon Blackman objected to bail, citing the prevalence of the offences, the nature of the offences and the punishments the offences attract.
According to Blackman, on the day in question, around 08:30 hours, Johnson noticed a female standing in the East La Penitence Police Station compound. Johnson then instructed Constable Harris to ask Burke if she had been attended to and if she had no business in the compound, to ask her to leave the premises.
After being asked to leave the compound, Burke began shouting indecent words and unwillingly left the compound but continued creating a scene. Johnson then approached her and warned her and as she was attempting to arrest her, Burke dealt her several cuffs to her face, causing her spectacles to break.
Burke, in her defence, stated that she was at the Police Station concerning another matter and was told to wait outside by a police officer who was at the front desk. She said that Johnson later approached her in an unpleasant manner, and shoved her, causing her to become angry.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until May 29, and Burke was granted bail in the sum of $80,000.
