FIFTY-TWO-year-old Malcolm ‘Stretch’ Archer was reportedly brutalized by his employer, one Toney, for allegedly leaving Toney’s camp site when they faced each other on the trail coming out of the interior on Wednesday, December 18.Archer is thankful that his employer had been arrested after he had reported the assault at the Mackenzie Police Station. However, a source close to the Mackenzie police informed this publication that the man who allegedly assaulted Archer has since been placed on $60,000 bail, and will have to report to the ‘F’ Division Headquarters in Georgetown.

Because the matter was not committed in the jurisdiction of Linden, the Linden police cannot lay charges against the assailant.

In response, Archer, contacted yesterday, said he was surprised that someone facing such a serious allegation would have been given bail, even though he (Archer) was told that the man would be charged based on what was reported, and made to answer the charge(s) at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

Archer said he contacted an official at the police Office of Professional Responsibility in Georgetown yesterday, and the person was appalled that the accused had been placed on station bail even though 72 hours had not elapsed since his arrest on Christmas Day.

Archer said he suspects something amiss, as his employer could not report having lost anything at the camp when he began assaulting him.

Archer is also fearful for his safety, and wonders why his assailant had not been placed on higher bail based on the seriousness of his allegations
He has given this publication details of what had transpired between himself and Toney, but because the matter is sub-judice those details could not be carried in this publication.

Archer, however, said he reported the assault at Sherima Police Station and obtained a medical form from that station. He proceeded to the Mackenzie Hospital on Wednesday, December 18, and obtained treatment there for the injuries he had received. The medical certificate was also completed by the doctor at the Mackenzie Hospital.

He was advised by the Mackenzie police to return to Sherima or go to headquarters in Georgetown to give a statement. He came to Georgetown and gave his statement, to which the medical certificate was attached.

“In my presence, one of the officers called Toney’s house and asked that he report to the nearest police station as soon as possible. So I was quite surprised to go up in Amelia’s Ward to see the truck park in front by he, and when I pass the police station, I am not getting no police to arrest he. He told the lady from the quick response thing that me ain’t getting no police to go for he. So she used some influence (and) eventually the Commander had to give them an order. It is the Commander, after the girl at the outpost called, the Commander tell the driver to go and collect the man.”

Archer said he would pursue the matter with the relevant authorities in Georgetown, as he feels that justice delayed is justice denied.
Written By Joe Chapman