THE Police Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has completed their investigations into 19-year-old Junior Thornton’s allegation that he was burnt to his hands by the police while in custody at the Sparendaam Police Station.

The file on the matter was submitted to the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, retired Justice Cecil Kennard yesterday morning for reviews and recommendations.

Thornton of Annandale, East Coast Demerara, has said that a rank at the Sparendaam Police Station poured methylated spirits on his hands and then set them alight.

Subsequently, the father of the teen was asked to sign a document for $100,000 which was handed over to him.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed that the intention of the police officer was to induce the relatives of the young man to consider it as a form of compensation, thus persuading them from pursuing the matter in court.

However, attorney-at-law, Dexter Todd who is looking into the interests of the teenager told the media on June 3rd that while money was handed over to the youth’s father, he was advised by his client that the sum was merely to assist the family with transportation expenses.

The attorney asserted that the transportation assistance will not be used to deter his client from giving statements against the police rank fingered in the incident or those who had been witnesses.
Written By Asif Hakim