FORMER People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Information Liaison Officer, Kwame McCoy, was fined $20,000 on Thursday after he was found guilty of the 2011 assault case against political activist, Mark Benschop. The verdict was handed down by Magistrate Annette Singh in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court. The incident occurred on May 5, 2011, at Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara, while Benschop was attempting to take photographs of McCoy’s residence.
In relation to the same incident, McCoy was also charged with damage to property and simple larceny. It was alleged that McCoy damaged a F150 motor pickup vehicle belonging to Benschop valued $1.5M and stole a $120,000 laptop. However, these charges were dismissed by Magistrate Singh due to the lack of evidence.
It was reported that at the time of the attack, Benschop was in charge of an online radio and website and was investigating reports that McCoy was building a house worth $100M. Benschop had said that while he was taking the photographs, McCoy and two other individuals assaulted him.
He had alleged that McCoy was one of the individuals who smashed his vehicle window and made off with his computer and other valuables from the vehicle. Meanwhile, following the Magistrate’s decision on Thursday, McCoy, told the court that Benschop’s accusations are a “very dramatic fiction story.”
“Mark Benschop and others had fabricated the story on the day in question….in the first place I was not even there!” the PPP/C activist told reporters outside the court.
McCoy believes that the charges against him were politically motivated.
“The whole idea is to go after Kwame politically…it is convenient for the APNU+AFC government to come after me in any means or fashion it could. They have not penetrated me enough for me to complain,” McCoy said.
Meanwhile, during the trial, Benschop testified via SKYPE from the United States, where he noted that he is fearful for his life.