MAGISTRATE Annett Singh has set February 07, as the date when social activist Mark Benschop will testify against People’s Progressive Party (PPP) member, Kwame McCoy. Benschop was expected testify on Thursday via Skype at the commencement of trial but the matter was forced into an adjournment due to technical difficulties.
McCoy is charged with damaging a motor vehicle belonging to Benschop on March 5, 2011 at Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara.
It is alleged that on March 5, 2011 at the same location, he stole an Acer Laptop valued $120,000 property of Benschop and the final charge alleged that on the same day, at the said location, McCoy unlawfully assaulted Benschop.
The incident allegedly occurred outside McCoy’s home while Benschop was attempting to take photographs of McCoy’s residence. It was reported that at the time of the attack Benschop was running an online radio and a website and was investigating reports that McCoy was building a house worth $100M.
Benschop had alleged that while he was taking the photographs, McCoy and two other individuals assaulted him. He said that McCoy was one of the individuals who smashed his vehicle window and made off with his computer and other valuables from the vehicle.
McCoy, who resides at Lot 336 Section ‘A’ Diamond, East Bank Demerara is on a total of $275,000 bail – $200,000 on the first charge, $50,000 on the simple larceny charge and $25,000 on the unlawful assault charge. The charges against McCoy came based on advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).