A woman who told the court she was upset with the manner in which a female police sergeant approached her was this afternoon slapped with six charges, including assault and resisting the arrest of a peace officer.
Keisha Burke, 20, appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Her first charge alleged that, on May 13, 2019 at East La Penitence, Georgetown, she unlawfully assaulted Sergeant Odecia Johnson who was acting in execution of her duties.
The second charge stated that, on the same date and at the same location, Burke behaved in a disorderly manner.
The third charge alleged that, on May 13, 2019 at East La Penitence, Georgetown, Burke used indecent language towards Sergeant Johnson.
The fourth charge stated that, on the same date and at the same location, Burke resisted arrest from Sergeant Johnson who was acting in the execution of her duties.
It was further alleged that, on the same date and at the same location, Burke unlawfully assaulted Sergeant Johnson so as to cause her actual bodily harm.
Burke’s final charge stated that, on the same date and at the same location, she damaged a pair of spectacles which were the property of Sergeant Johnson.
Burke pleaded not guilty to all of the charges after they were read to her by the magistrate.
According to information, on the date in question the woman went to the East La Penitence Station after she heard a friend was arrested. At around 08:30hrs, Sergeant Johnson, who was performing duties at the said police station, asked Burke why she was standing in the station’s compound. Burke, however, refused to respond to the officer. The court heard that the officer spoke once more to Burke, who in turn used a series of abusive language.
Sergeant Johnson then approached Burke in an attempt to arrest her but she was instead dealt with several cuffs to her face. In the process, her spectacles broke. Burke was then arrested and taken into custody.
Burke, in addressing the court, said, “I was upset with the manner in which the police sergeant approached me and that caused me to retaliate.”
While Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman objected to bail being granted to the woman, the magistrate released her on $80,000 bail. She was instructed to make her next court appearance on May 29.
