By Deneita Fredericks

KEISHA Burke, a 20-year-old woman who claims that she was upset over the manner in which a female police officer approached her was yesterday granted bail at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court by Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty on four charges.

Burke pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The first charge alleged that on May 13, 2019, at East La Penitence, Burke assaulted Police Sergeant Odacia Johnson to prevent her from successfully executing her duties.
Particulars of the second offence stated that on the same day at East La Penitence, she behaved disorderly.

The third charge read that on May 13, 2019, at East La Penitence, she used indecent language to Police Sergeant Odacia Johnson.

The fourth charge stated that on the same day and at the same location, she resisted lawful apprehension by Sergeant Johnson, who was at the time executing her duties.
The fifth allegation read that moments after on May 13, 2019, she assaulted Sergeant Johnson, causing her actual bodily harm.

The last charge alleged that on May 13, 2019 at East La Penitence, she broke a pair of spectacles belonging to Sergeant Johnson, worth $40,000.

Police prosecutor Seon Blackman stated that on the day in question, at around 08:30hrs, Sergeant Johnson was on duty at the East La Penitence Police Station when she noticed a female standing in the compound. As a result, she asked Burke her reason for being there. Burke reportedly refused to answer, so the sergeant asked her once more; it was then that she left the compound and began to curse Johnson.

When Sergeant Johnson attempted to arrest the defendant, she retaliated and allegedly dealt the sergeant several punches to her face; this resulted in damage to the sergeant’s spectacles. Burke was then arrested and taken into custody.

The magistrate eventually released her on bail in the sum of $80,000 and she is expected to make her next court appearance on May 29, 2019.