Senator’s husband surrenders in ‘fake oil’ assault case

A police corporal, the husband of a Government senator, yesterday surrendered to his colleagues at the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) after learning instructions were given to charge him with assaulting a media photographer on September 15.

Kristian De Silva, who is employed with the Guardian newspaper, was part of a media team which went to the premises of AV Drilling Services in Penal to take photos and interview company officials in relation to the Petrotrin ‘fake oil’ story.

While there, he was allegedly accosted by the police officer and an official of the company and beaten.

A report was made to the police and members of the PSB, assisted by ASP Hunt of the Police Complaints Division and legal officer Sgt Byron Daniel interviewed several people including the policeman and the company official.

The policeman has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Police received instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions to lay identical charges against the company official and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Investigators went to his home yesterday afternoon but he was not there.

Once in custody, he and the police officer are expected to appear in the Port of Spain Magistrates Court today.