Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 11, 2014 News
After facing flak for the lengthy delays in investigating two previous incidents of police
brutality, the Guyana Police Force has announced that they have completed investigations into an allegation made by Junior Thornton.
The investigation, which probed the alleged burning of Thornton’s hands while he was in police custody at the Sparendaam Police Station, was conducted by the Police Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).
According to the police, the file in this matter was submitted to the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority on Monday, for his review and recommendations.
Thornton’s situation was highlighted, last week Tuesday, one week after he was released from police custody.
The young man, who was recently discharged from hospital, is claiming that a police rank soaked his hands in methylated spirits and set them alight. This was after he was engaged in a fight with another prisoner in the lock-ups.
Kaieteur News understands that Thornton was picked up for loitering earlier last week and was held in the lock-ups for three days. It is alleged that he began behaving in a disorderly manner in the lock-ups and refused to desist when asked to do so by the ranks on duty.
He told relatives that the ranks became angry and one of them saturated his hands with the flammable liquid before setting fire to it.
Thornton was released with his badly burnt hands and was immediately taken to the hospital by his relatives. They subsequently reported the matter to the Police Complaints Authority, after which the investigation was ordered.
Already, an Assistant Superintendent has been transferred as a result of the fallout over the incident, while the ranks who allegedly carried out the act were under close arrest up to yesterday.
It is expected that in addition to possible criminal charges, several other ranks will face disciplinary action over the incident.
JAGDEO ADDING MORE DANGER TO GUYANA AND THE REGION
Apr 18, 2024
SportsMax – West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has been named Wisden’s leading Twenty20 Cricketer for 2023, as she topped all and sundry, including her male counterparts. Alan Gardner looks...Kaieteur News – Compliments of the Ministry of Education, our secondary school children are being treated to a stage... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]