GDF rank who choked cop slapped with 13 charges, license suspended for one year

Keron Joseph, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank, who was caught on video assaulting a Police Constable on Thursday, was slapped with 13 charges when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Friday and also had his driver’s license suspended for one year.

Police Headquarters in a statement reported that Joseph pleaded guilty to 12 of the charges before Magistrate Clive Nurse. The charges and fines are:

* Two counts of Assault Peace Officer fined $20, 000 or 4 weeks imprisonment.

* Resist Arrest fined $10, 000 or 4 weeks imprisonment.

* Indecent Language fined $ 20, 000 or 4 weeks imprisonment.

* Two counts of Failing to produce driver’s license $ 20, 000 or 4 weeks imprisonment.

* Uninsured Motor Vehicle fined $ 30, 000 or 4 weeks imprisonment.

* Unlicensed Motor Vehicle fined $ 20, 000 or 4 weeks imprisonment.

* Uncertified Motor Vehicle fined $20, 000 or 4 weeks imprisonment.

* DUI fined $10, 000 or 4 weeks imprisonment.

* Conduct of Driver fined $20,000 or 4 weeks imprisonment.

* Prohibition of Tinted Glass fined $7,500 or 4 weeks imprisonment.

The fines total $177, 500.

Police said Joseph pleaded not guilty to negligently interrupting the free flow of traffic and was placed on $50,000 bail. A trial is set to begin on January 7, 2021.

Joseph and two of his relatives Albert Grant and Paulette Grant were arrested after they caught on video assaulting the officers. The Police had reported that Joseph resisted arrest and assaulted police officer, Constable Cummings on Hadfield Street in the vicinity of the route 43 minibus park in Georgetown.

The police report noted that Cummings and his relatives were arrested and taken to the Brickdam Police Station where they underwent a breathalyser test and were found to be above the legal alcohol limit of 35 per cent.