Three Venezuelan nationals were yesterday remanded to prison after appearing before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court in connection with a disturbance at Railway Line, Kitty, Georgetown, on Tuesday, September 8.
The accused are 45-year-old taxi driver Caesar Sotillo, 25-year-old Jose Daniel Sotillo, and 33-year-old Erick Medina.
The charges stem from an incident at Caesar Sotillo’s residence, where a birthday celebration was being held on the night in question.
Caesar Sotillo was charged with three offences — disorderly behaviour, causing a nuisance by operating a motor car and resisting a police officer.
The disorderly behaviour charge alleges that on September 8, at Railway Line top, Kitty, Georgetown, he behaved in a disorderly manner within public hearing.
He was also charged with operating motor car PAB 2971 and using the vehicle to make noise and cause a nuisance to the neighbourhood.
The third charge alleges that he resisted Corporal Shamar Moore, who was acting in the execution of his duty.
Caesar Sotillo remained silent when asked to enter pleas to all three charges, resulting in the magistrate recording not-guilty pleas on his behalf.
Jose Daniel Sotillo was charged with disorderly behaviour and assault with intent to prevent lawful arrest.
The assault charge alleges that he assaulted Corporal Trevor Moore while the officer was attempting to lawfully arrest Caesar Sotillo.
Medina was also charged with assault with intent to prevent lawful apprehension, with the allegation being that he assaulted Corporal Trevor Moore while the officer was attempting to apprehend Caesar Sotillo.
According to the prosecution, police responded to a report of excessive noise at the location.
The prosecutor told the court that when officers arrived and attempted to warn those gathered at the birthday celebration, the accused allegedly ignored the police and continued playing loud music from the vehicle.
The court heard that Corporal Moore subsequently attempted to arrest Caesar Sotillo, but Jose Daniel Sotillo and Medina allegedly intervened and pushed the officer away from Caesar Sotillo.
The prosecutor further alleged that after Corporal Moore warned the two men about their behaviour, Medina slapped him in the face.
The court was also told that the officer was choked during the confrontation, while Jose Sotillo allegedly slapped him several times and grabbed his shirt.
The prosecution objected to bail for all three men, citing the prevalence of the offences and the allegations that police officers were assaulted while attempting to carry out their duties.
The prosecutor also raised concerns over the accused being Venezuelan nationals, arguing that there was a significant flight risk and that their likelihood of returning to Guyana to face trial could not be guaranteed.
The prosecution urged the court to send a strong message regarding the assault of police officers, particularly officers performing their duties.
Defence counsel, in addressing the court, said the incident arose out of a birthday celebration being held at Caesar Sotillo’s residence.
Counsel said the celebration became somewhat noisy and suggested that cultural differences may have contributed to the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The court heard that Caesar Sotillo, a taxi driver, had no previous interaction with the police.
The legal status of all three men in Guyana was also raised during the proceedings.
The magistrate indicated that their legal status would have to be verified and that the matter would be addressed at the next hearing.
After considering the objections, Magistrate McGusty denied bail, citing the prevalence of the offences and the alleged assault of police officers.
The magistrate said she did not wish to send a message that it was acceptable to assault Guyanese police officers while they were carrying out their duties.
She also found that the accused could pose a significant flight risk if released on bail.
The court further ordered that the file be sent for legal advice, while the immigration status of the three accused is checked.
The trio was remanded to prison and the matter was adjourned to October 9.
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