Senior cop ordered to pay $1,000

ACTING Inspector Kelvin Ransome was yesterday ordered by a magistrate to pay $1,000 in compensation to a young woman whom he struck across the face with a telephone. Magistrate Armina Deonarinesingh made the ruling yesterday, reprimanding and discharging Ransome for the crime of assaulting the woman — Kerlene Cross of Marabella.

Two weeks ago, the magistrate had found the inspector guilty of assaulting Cross in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court. Ransome pleaded not guilty to beating 20-year-old Kerlene Cross at a telephone booth on Bay Road in Marabella on December 10, 2002. At the time, Ransome was attached to the Marabella Police Station. Cross testified that she was using the public telephone when Ransome grabbed the receiver. Cross said Ransome made several attempts to use the telephone but when his 25 cents became stuck, he hurled abusive remarks at her.

When Ransome subsequently noticed Cross using the phone, the inspector grabbed the receiver and struck her across the face with it. Cross’ attorney, Roger Ramgoolam, was not in court yesterday, but sent a message to the magistrate to proceed with the case as she saw fit. In making a plea for mitigation on Ransome’s behalf, Cpl Frederick Neptune,  told the magistrate that the inspector had served more than 31 unblemished years in the Police Service.

Magistrate Deonarinesingh asked Cross’ mother, Karen, to speak on behalf of her daughter. The mother expressed different views about the conduct of Ransome. In her ruling, Deonarinesingh said she had no other adverse reports about the accused policeman. She said she had testimonies from two defence witnesses who described Ransome as a good policeman. In reaching her decision, she said she had taken in consideration Ransome’s age, his character, antecedents and position in the Police Service. The magistrate allowed Ransome 14 days to pay the compensation to Cross or, in default, serve 14 days simple imprisonment.