Prime Minister’s son accused of dragging, beating woman; granted $150,000 bail

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Thirty – Three – year – old Samuel Hinds Jnr of Duke Street, Kingston, Georgetown was granted $150,000 bail by Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond when he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday (March 3) to answer to threatening behavior and wounding charges.

The young man is the son of Guyana’s Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds. The matter was first called before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry early Monday morning when an arrest warrant was issued for him and the matter was transferred to Magistrate Chandan-Edmond after he was not present in Court.

On Monday afternoon, Hinds appeared in Court and pleaded not guilty to the two charges which alleged that on Thursday, February 27 at Duke Street, Kingston he made use of threatening behavior against his sister-in-law Tenza Layne.

The other charge alleged that on the same day he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Layne. A summon was also issued for Layne who was not present in Court and who was also charged with causing actual bodily harm.

Police Prosecutor Renetta Bentham told the Court that Hinds grabbed the woman by her hair and pushed her to the ground. Bentham also said the man allegedly stamped the woman before dragging her on the ground and beating her with a cane. He then brandished a gun, cranked it and threatened to kill her.

The Prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds that the defendant first abused the virtual complaint by calling her a thief and threatening to kill her.

The Prosecutor urged the Court to refuse bail, stating that both parties reside at the same address and it is a likelihood that if granted bail, Hinds may tamper with the victim.

The Prosecutor said the gun was not lodged at any Police Station and she is not sure whether he is a licensed firearm holder. Bentham begged that bail be refused stating that the defendant is a danger to the woman.

However, Attorney-at-Law Charles Ramson Jnr, who represented Hinds told the Court that on the day in question his client and the VC had an argument and was attack by the VC.

He said after the altercation, the woman went to the kitchen and grabbed a knife and threatened to use it on his client, in the presence of her sister.

The Defence Lawyer said Hinds is a licensed firearm holder, who admitted to pulling his gun but denied cranking the weapon.

Magistrate Chandan-Edmond granted bail on the conditions that Hinds lodge his passport and firearm, report to the Station Sergeant at the Brickdam Police Station every Friday and Monday at 15:00hrs, and should stay 200 yards away from the VC and other witnesses. The case was put off to March 21.