Cops before court for demanding jail release money from man
THREE policemen who reportedly took a man into custody after he was freed by the court and demanded and accepted US$200 and $58,000 for his release are scheduled to return to the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on December 4.
Corporal Kevin Watson and constables Ricardo Thompson and Andre Thomas, who were assigned to the Denham Town Police Station, had their bails extended on Monday after their case was transferred to the Corruption Court for a trial date to be set.
The cops are charged with breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act.
According to allegations, in December 2015 the complainant was charged by cops from the Denham Town Police Station in relation to a shooting incident in Denham Town, and was taken before the court where he was granted bail.
In February this year he appeared in court and was freed, but while leaving the courthouse he was reportedly arrested by Corporal Watson, Constable Thomas and another cop and taken to the station where he was placed in custody.
While at the station, it is alleged that Corporal Watson solicited $200,000 from the complainant for his release.
The complainant reportedly contacted his girlfriend overseas and informed her of the situation and she allegedly sent $50,000 to his mother.
That money was allegedly paid over to Corporal Watson and another cop, unknown to the complainant.
The complainant, after his release, reported the matter to the police and an investigation was launched.
It is further reported that on September 11 the complainant was in the Kingston 12 area when he was reportedly taken back to the police station where $100,000 was allegedly demanded for his release.
It is alleged that the complainant assured them that his girlfriend would be arriving in the island shortly with the money.
Two days later, the complainant and his girlfriend were in the Kingston 12 area when the complainant was reportedly accosted by a group of cops who demanded money from him. The complainant was reportedly taken to a location where his girlfriend allegedly handed over US$200 and $58,000 to the cops.
The couple later reported the matter and following investigations, five cops were placed on an identification parade where the three accused were pointed out and arrested.