JLP councillor arrested
JAMAICA Labour Party (JLP) Councillor for the Ginger Ridge Division, St Catherine, Hyman Smith, was arrested and charged after he allegedly assaulted a police officer.
Smith has been slapped with charges of resisting arrest, assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and indecent language.
He appeared in the Old Harbour Resident Magistrate’s Court last Friday, where the matter was adjourned to Friday November 17 for mention.
According to arresting officer Corporal Debbie Rhoden of the Old Harbour police, about 10:15 pm on October 6, she was on mobile patrol in Old Harbour, accompanied by Constable Kevin Williams.
Smith was seen driving his Avalanche motor truck in a zig zag manner along South Street.
The police ordered him to pull over, but he reportedly disobeyed and sped away. The police gave chase and caught up with him.
Smith, the police alleged, refused to listen to the officers and instead drove to the Old Harbour police station. The police said he became boisterous inside the station, and used indecent language to the officers there. During a scuffle with the cops, Smith allegedly held on to Constable William’s left hand, breaking his index finger.
Smith was arrested and given station bail in his own surety to appear in court on October 13. It was on that date, based on the production of a medical certificate from a doctor which indicated that the officer’s finger was broken, that Smith was arrested and slapped with the charge of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.
He is to return to court next month to answer the charges.