…denies allegations, released on self-bail

MAGISTRATE Peter Hugh placed Attorney-at-law Ryan Crawford on self-bail when he appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court on Friday on five charges, all related to a recent incident involving him and a police constable.

Police Prosecutor Inspector Shavion Jupiter, did not object to bail when the attorney appeared in court. Crawford, who had confronted the rank on September 13 ,2018 in an expletive-laden tirade, brought along 11 lawyers to defend him against the charges that the police laid against him on the advice of the director of public prosecutions.

The charges filed against him included obscene language; riotous behaviour; prohibition of tinted glass; failure to produce his driver’s licence; and unfit motor vehicle. The matter, which was initially set to be called in the Mahaica Magistrate’s Court, was shifted to the Vigilance court instead, as the former court did not sit on Friday.

However, the usual courtesies which are extended to lawyers who show up at court to represent clients were not immediately granted to Crawford’s lawyers by the magistrate. He informed them that he would first like to complete his matters, which were filed in the magisterial district before moving on to the matters which were filed at Mahaica.

Crawford did not speak with the press when approached for a comment, but his lead attorney Sanjiv Datadin did. He said that they felt frustrated having gone to Mahaica and Cove and John before finally arriving at Vigilance for the matter.

On the day in question, a police corporal had pulled over the attorney to carry out a routine check of his documents when the lawyer verbally abused him and refused to cooperate or follow any of the instructions which the policeman had given. He subsequently drove off before boasting that he does not care what the rank does and that nothing can happen to him. The matter will be called again on October 10, 2018, at the Mahaica Magistrate’s Court.