Hire car driver slapped with 14 charges
MOTORIST Christopher Chatapaul (no address given) has been slapped with 14 charges for traffic related offences committed at various locations in New Amsterdam, Berbice, on October 8.
He appeared in the New Amsterdam Court on Monday and is expected to return there on November 28 for report and fixture.
The hire car driver complained to Magistrate Krishendat Persaud that he was beaten by police ranks and the court advised him to seek medical attention.
However, police alleged that on October 8, Chatapaul being behind the wheel of HB5753, permitted the vehicle to remain at rest in such a position likely to cause obstruction along Strand public road, New Amsterdam.
He is also charged with:

* failing to produce a driver’s licence to Special Constable Roy George;
* failing to give a right of way;
* failing to stop when required;
* dangerous driving along Main Street;
* dangerous driving in Sheet Anchor, East Canje;
* failing to comply with public discretion;
* failing to conform to a sign in Asylum Street;
* failing to conform to a sign on North Road;
* using a hand held mobile telephone while driving;
* crossing yellow lines;
* failing to behave in a civil and orderly manner;
* resisting arrest, and
* assaulting a peace officer.

Police claimed after Chatapaul obstructed traffic on Strand, which is one of three main thoroughfares in New Amsterdam; he was spoken to and asked to produce his driver’s licence and he failed to do so.
Minutes later, he drove through St. Ann Street and on the approach of an approved police vehicle failed to stop as near as possible to the left side of the road until it passed. He then drove in a dangerous manner along Main Street and into Asylum Street where he failed to conform to the ‘Stop’ sign and did the same as he drove along North Road, the court was told. 
It was also stated that Chatapaul was seen using his mobile phone as he drove from Vryheid Street and, subsequently, along the Fort Canje Public Road, where he crossed the yellow lines.
In East Canje, police said he did not behave in a civil and orderly manner and resisted and assaulted Constable George and David Layne.
The magistrate, who did not order bail nor make the defendant sign a recognisance, asked whether the traffic ranks spent the day driving behind the defendant as he committed the offences.