Youth, 17, claims police beating

The teen limped into the courtroom before senior magistrate Annette McKenzie whom he told, “Ma’am, they real beat me up. They beat the soles of my feet. They tied me to a tree and tied rope around my neck. They even said my body will wash up on the shore.”

The teen appeared in court where he was accused of stealing a policeman’s revolver as well as shooting at the said officer on May 8.

Questioned further by the magistrate on his beating allegations, the youth told the court, “Everyone in the Task Force involved in my beating. I know them by face.”

The magistrate ordered that the accused be taken to hospital immediately for a medical examination and treatment (if necessary). She further ordered that a doctor’s medical report on the accused youth’s condition be forwarded to the court.

The teen who appeared in court clad in a pair of black jeans, a black and red jersey and wearing a pair of black slippers was not represented by an attorney.

He was not called upon to enter a plea since the charges which also include possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, assault, shooting with intent and robbery with violence, were all laid indictably.

The teen was subsequently granted $200,000 bail with a Surety that must be approved by the Clerk of the Peace.

The teen who is a Trini-born resident of Tobago, was ordered to reappear in court on May 25.