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Prime Minister's son bailed for unlawful wounding, threatening behaviour

  • Monday, 03 March 2014 14:20

 

http://caribnewsdesk.com/news/...hreatening-behaviour

 

The son of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds- Samuel Hinds Jr.- was Monday arraigned on charges of threatening behaviour and unlawful wounding allegedly committed on his sister-in-law.

City Magistrate, Geeta Chand-Edmond granted Hinds GUY$150,000 bail along with four conditions- lodge his passport with police, lodge his licensed firearm with police, stay 200 yards away from the virtual complainant and all witnesses, and report to the Brickdam Police Station once weekly.

He has to return to court on March 21. The 33-year old man pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecution alleged that Hinds committed the offence on Penza Layne at his residence 83 Duke Street, Kingston, Georgetown on February 27, 2014. 

Hinds’ lawyer, Charles Ramson Jr; acknowledged that the accused brandished the weapon because he felt that he was under threat but denied that he cranked it. Ramson said Layne, who was not in court, allegedly grabbed a knife from the kitchen and threatened to stab Hinds.

The prosecution’s case is that Hinds first verbally abused the woman by calling her a thief. He also allegedly threatened to kill her like a thief.  Hinds then allegedly grabbed Layne by her hair, pushed her to the ground, stamped on her face, and dragged her and beat her with a cane.

According to the prosecutor, Hinds cranked a gun and threatened to kill the woman. The prosecutor was unsure whether the firearm was lodged at any police station and whether he was the holder of a gun licence.

In objecting to bail, the court was told by the prosecutor that Hinds and the virtual complainant lived at the same address and he was likely to tamper with the witness.

Defence Lawyer, Ramson said Layne no longer lived at the same address with Hinds and he said if she turned up his client would relocate. 

He told that the court that Hinds is the father of a six year old child, has a common-law wife and is involved in gold mining.  The lawyer assured that his client had no problem lodging his passport and firearm.

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Let's hope the police/court file on this guy doesn't disappear.

PPP government ministers' sons seem to think they have immunity from the law.

Nearly 4 years ago the then tourism minister Manniram Prashad's son Navin was charged with causing the death of UG student Rajendra Jailall while driving on Carifesta Avenue in GT.

The case vanished into thin air.

Minister Robeson Benn's violent son also got off lightly after allegedly brutalizing his woman.

 

FM

PM’s son on conditional bail for abusive assault

MARCH 4, 2014 | BY  | FILED UNDER NEWS 

Samuel Hinds Jr., son of the Prime Minister, was yesterday granted conditional bail by a city Magistrate after he was hauled before the courts, on the strength of an arrest warrant, to face charges for brandishing a gun, thrashing and threatening to kill his sister-in-law a few days ago.
The 33-year-old gold miner who appeared before Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court was ordered to comply with seven conditions for bail.

Accused: Samuel Hinds Jnr.

Accused: Samuel Hinds Jnr.

Hinds’ case was called earlier that day by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry but due to the absence of both parties, an arrest warrant was issued for him while a summons was sent out for his sister-in-law who is also expected to be charged.
The matter was transferred to Magistrate Chandan-Edmond and a few hours later Hinds was accompanied by Defence Attorney Charles Ramson Jr. to face his indictment.
By this time, however, the courthouse was flocked with reporters who were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Prime Minister’s son. As Hinds took note of all the cameras focused on him he asked β€œWhy y’all don’t go and tek out the people who robbing y’all?”
In the courtroom, he stood accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding his sister-in-law Tenza Layne last Thursday (February 27) at his Lot 83 Duke Street, Kingston residence.
It is alleged too that he used threatening language to Layne.
Hinds however denied all claims and later submitted an application for bail through his attorney.
His case is being prosecuted by Lance Corporal Renetta Bentham who beseeched the court to deny him pre-trial liberty. Bentham explained that the virtual complainant suffered both verbal and brutal physical assault at the hands of Hinds on the day in question.
β€œThe defendant first verbally abused the virtual complainant as he called her a thief. He then threatened to kill her like a thief, your worship.”
The Prosecutor continued that the two reside at the same address and as a result, there is a likelihood that the accused will carry out those threats.
Lance Corporal Bentham offered objections citing physical abuse as a sufficient ground for Hinds to be held in police custody. She explained that he grabbed Layne by her hair and pulled her to the ground.
He reportedly stamped Layne on her face and dragged her around the house by her hair. Bentham said that he also beat her with a cane.
β€œAs if he was not satisfied, the defendant brandished a gun, cranked it and threatened to kill her, your worship. I urge the court to note that the gun has not been lodged, which clearly indicates that if granted bail this defendant would still be in control of that gun,” Bentham said.
The State Prosecutor continued in her objections stating that the Prosecution has no record to support whether he is a licensed firearm holder therefore β€œthe defendant is a danger to the virtual complainant and as such I beg the court to refuse bail.”
Bentham revealed that there are medical reports present for both parties, since Layne is set to face one count of assault causing actual bodily harm.
On the other hand, Ramson who is representing Hinds in association with Attorney at Law Sanjeev Datadin, had a different version of events.
He claimed that on the day in question, Hinds had an argument with his sister-in-law and she attacked him.
According to the lawyer, an altercation ensued and Layne rushed to the kitchen, grabbed a knife and threatened to use it against his client. This, he said, was done in the presence of her sister, Sonia Herbert, who will testify before the court.
The lawyer claimed that Hinds, who is a licensed firearm holder, felt threatened and pulled out his weapon but did not crank it.
In making a bail application, Ramson asked the court to consider that the charges which were pressed against Hinds are bailable offences.
The lawyer said that Hinds, who is a father of one, has community ties as he is a former member of the Queen’s College Alumni as well as β€œthe son of a prominent dignitary.”
According to Ramson, the two parties do not share the same place of abode. β€œAt one point they did, but they no longer do so.” He continued his application stating that Hinds’ firearm was not lodged, but he is prepared to do so.
Ramson also offered his client’s passport as a condition for bail as well.
Notwithstanding the Prosecution’s objections, Magistrate Chandan-Edmond granted Hinds conditional bail in the sum of $150,000.
He was told that he must relocate, and at all times remain 200 yards away from both the virtual complainant as well as the witnesses in the matter. For the court bond, Hinds must surrender his firearm with the police and lodge his passport with the Clerk of Court.
He was ordered to report to the Station Sergeant at the Brickdam Police Station every Friday at 15:00 hours.
The trial is set to commence on March 21 and the accused was also bonded to keep the peace pending the outcome of the trial. (Sunita Samaroo)

Mars

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