Soldier charged with biting security officer

Lance Cpl Hozel Charles.
Lance Cpl Hozel Charles.

A soldier appeared yesterday in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court charged with biting a security officer at a commercial bank.

The incident is alleged to have happened on Thursday outside RBC Royal Bank, Lower High Street, San Fernando.

Lance Cpl Hozel Charles, 38, of South Oropouche, appeared before senior magistrate Cheryl-Anne Antoine, who read the charge to him that on Thursday he assaulted Estate Constable Kerron Joseph in order to prevent Joseph from lawfully detaining him.

Another charge was that Charles resisted Estate Constable Gary John, who tried to arrest him. A third charge alleged that Charles used obscene language.

Charles pleaded not guilty to the charges which were laid by PC Ramoo. He told the magistrate he was a lance corporal with the Defence Force.

Prosecutor PC Cleyon Seedan produced a document and told Antoine, Charles was charged in 2005 with using obscene language. However, Charles, who is a father of two, told the magistrate that case had been dismissed.

Antoine asked Seedan if the bank was open at the time of the alleged incident and he replied, “Yes.”

He said Joseph was bitten on the left side of the chest while on duty inside the bank.

Two representatives of the Defence Force were present for the hearing.

Charles was granted bail of $60,000 to be approved by a clerk of the peace. The magistrate granted him a cash alternative of $15,000 to reappear on January 25.

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