Accused in prison van crash

Habib, who appeared with Kwasie Ford before senior Magistrate Indra Ramoo-Haynes, yesterday complained to the magistrate about pains in the head and leg.

Habib, 18, and Ford, 21, of San Fernando, had appeared before a Justice of the Peace on Wednesday charged with the October 10 murder of Gerard Bocas inside Cover Girl Restaurant and Bar during a robbery.

Yesterday, Habib limped out the prisoner’s cage in the courtroom, and told the magistrate that he and Ford were in the prison van which capsized. The accident occurred at 4.50 pm along the Solomon Hochoy Highway near the Guayamare River. Three other prisoners and a driver were hospitalised at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.

Pointing to his head and left leg, Habib complained to Ramoo-Haynes that he was in pain and needed medical treatment.

Court prosecutor Sgt Harricharan Kassie told the magistrate that a doctor is available in the prison to treat prisoners. However, accused Habib interjected: "So I have to stay with this pain whole day. Allyuh moving like I who cause the accident."

Ramoo-Haynes ordered that Habib be taken for immediate treatment at the San Fernando General Hospital.

Habib, who was handcuffed to Ford during the court appearance, is also charged with possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm to endanger life, possession of ammunition, possession of ammunition to endanger life, assaulting Nigel Cowan with intent to rob, and wounding Brian Davis causing him grievous bodily harm. Habib, of Chacon Street, San Fernando, and Ford, 21, of Lower Hillside, San Fernando, were remanded in custody to reappear next week Thursday.