POLICEMAN Ronston Chapman, 26 years, of 125 Smithfield, New Amsterdam, Berbice was yesterday placed on $50,000 bail after he was charged with dangerous driving following an accident Monday morning in which a schoolgirl was struck down on a pedestrian crossing at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara.Chapman, who is still in the employ of the Guyana Police Force, was driving a police car when he allegedly collided with 11-year-old Parminie Persaud of Uitvlugt Secondary School as she was on the pedestrian crossing on her way to school.
The policeman yesterday appeared at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool who read the charge to him which stated that on Monday, September 14, 2015 he drove motorcar PRR 2032 in a dangerous manner to the public and which resulted in an accident and injury to Parminie Persaud of Tuschen Housing Scheme.
He pleaded not guilty and after his particulars were taken, the magistrate granted him $50,000 bail and the police prosecutor raised no objections.
Chapman is attached to the Anti-crime Unit of ‘D’ Division as a general duty rank and is assigned to drive the Divisional Commander Steven Mansell.
However, at the time of the accident the Commander was not in the vehicle while the police rank was returning from the fuel station.
On Monday also the Commander paid a visit to the injured student who was receiving medical attention at the Leonora Cottage Hospital and also spoke with her guardian. The child has since been discharged. (Leroy Smith)