[www.inewsguyana.com] – Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Thursday, February 13 expressed her displeasure with the manner in which ranks incarcerated a male juvenile exceeding 72 hours.
The young man was charged with abusive language and was imprisoned for six days; he spent three days at Grove Police Station and the remaining three days at the Prashad Nagar Police Outpost.
The Chief Magistrate immediately sent for the Corporal that escorted the juvenile to Court and inquired why the young man was kept that long in custody and was not brought to Court earlier.
The rank apologized and explained that on the day he was charged, the Police encountered difficulties with transportation to take him to Court.
The Chief Magistrate maintained however that it is unacceptable and reminded that someone should not be kept in custody for that long, unless there is an order from the High Court.
She further inquired whether the Ministry of Human Services was contacted, but the rank responded in the negative. The police told the Magistrate that the youngster was residing at the Sophia Juvenile Holding Centre, which was contacted to facilitate his return to that institution after he was not taken to Court, but the Centre refused to accept him.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that he made use of abusive language to an elder at the Holding Centre. He will remain in custody at the Child Protection Agency until March 6.
