Labourer Withney Harvey, 36, was on Friday remanded to prison after pleading guilty to some of six charges arising from a confrontation with police during a traffic exercise on Tuesday.

Harvey, of No. 51 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Tuanna Hardy at the Whim Magistrate's Court. He was arrested on Wednesday and charged on Friday with damage to property, assault causing actual bodily harm, assaulting, resisting and obstructing peace officers, and disorderly behaviour.

He pleaded not guilty to the damage to property charge and all charges involving Police Sergeant Michael Saul, and guilty to all charges involving Police Lance Corporal Bowman. He was remanded until Wednesday, October 28, for sentencing on the latter.

Police said the incident began at about 8:05am on Tuesday, October 20, when ranks conducting traffic enforcement on the No. 51 Public Road stopped a motorcyclist travelling east. The motorcyclist, who wore a helmet and a mask covering his face, allegedly became disorderly, dismounted and produced a cutlass.

Police said Harvey, then unidentified, allegedly refused to surrender a knife tucked in his waist when instructed by the ranks. With help from citizens, he was subdued and the knife was seized, but he allegedly threw bottles, bricks, pieces of wood and other objects at the ranks before fleeing. He later returned with several objects, including a cutlass, and continued throwing objects while threatening the ranks, police alleged.

He allegedly used the cutlass to damage the front and rear wheels of police motorcycle CK 127, and snatched a government-issued Taser from Saul and threw it to the ground, damaging it.
Saul reportedly sustained injuries to his face and index finger, and his eyeglasses, valued at $85,000, were damaged. The windshield of motor vehicle GAP 2180 and a rear-view mirror belonging to the Crabwood Creek Neighbourhood Democratic Council were also reportedly damaged.

The damage caused to a Neighbourhood Democratic Council vehicle