Slap on the wrist for ‘cussbud’ soldier

A SOLDIER who pleaded guilty yesterday to cursing a police officer and resisting arrest was reprimanded and discharged by the magistrate. Private Michael Smith appeared before acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington in the San Fernando First Court. The charges were laid by PC Pitt and ag Sgt Wendell Fernando was the court prosecutor. According to the evidence related by ag Sgt Fernando, at around 7.20 pm on Thursday, the defendant, Private Smith, was driving along Harmony Hall in Gasparillo, when he came upon a roadblock.

The soldier was instructed to exit his vehicle at which point the evidence read he said he was having “problems.” The court also heard that as the soldier came out of the vehicle he started cursing the police officer. As the policeman attempted to hold the soldier’s hands, he pulled away. Other officers eventually restrained the soldier who was arrested and charged with using obscene language and resisting arrest. The charges were laid by PC Pitt. In court yesterday, defence attorney Mewahlal Chatoor told the magistrate his client was slapped by a policeman. Chatoor said, “The  police officer slapped him and he reacted.” He explained the situation had arisen out of “extenuating  circumstances.” He added, “We do react when things happen.” Private Smith was accompanied to court by a Major. The attorney asked the magistrate to reprimand and discharge his client on the charges which the magistrate did after giving brief thought.