Biting doctor granted bail

A MEDICAL DOCTOR who allegedly bit a policeman was yesterday granted bail in the sum of $15,000 to cover three charges arising out of the incident. Doctor Mark Joseph, attached to the Accident and Emergency Department of the San Fernando General Hospital, appeared before Justice of the Peace, Ramona Premchan, in the Couva Magistrate’s Court, mere hours after being discharged from the hospital’s Psychiatric Unit. Joseph, 39, of Exchange Lots, Couva, had been admitted to the ward for treatment after he was arrested on Sunday, following a confrontation with the police. It was alleged that while the police were trying to handcuff the doctor, he bit an officer on both hands.

Upon his release from hospital yesterday, the police escorted the doctor to the Couva Police Station where he was charged with resisting arrest, possession of a weapon and assualting Cpl Naresh Ramlogan. The first two charges were laid by Cpl Ramlogan and the latter, by Sgt Burke. When he appeared before the JP yesterday, the doctor was granted bail in the sum of $15,000 to cover the three charges. The doctor is to re-appear in court today before a magistrate to answer the charges.