shit thrown at Magistrate

Faeces-throwing prisoner apologises to magistrate

Denyse Renne drenne@trinidadexpress.com


Friday, January 11th 2008


Prisoner Tyrone Clarke was on Wednesday sentenced to one year, six months and 28 days hard labour, for throwing human faeces at a Port of Spain magistrate on January 8.

Clarke, 46, stood before Magistrate Adrian Darmanie in the Third Court, charged with assaulting Magistrate Michelle Maharajh-Brown, throwing missiles at police prosecutor Sgt Ian Carty, assaulting police constable Matthew Bellingy and assaulting Carty.

Moments before appearing before Darmanie, Clarke was present in the 11th Court before Maharajh-Brown answering a charge of arson.

He apologised profusely to her for the January 8 incident. His arson matter was then adjourned to January 18.

"I spent numerous occasions in St Ann's. I am ignorant and stupid, my nerves bother me plus I do not like the justice system in Trinidad," Clarke said as he sought to explain to reporters the reason behind his January 8 action.

"I am a small man who have to wait long time for my matter to be heard, while the big man getting short adjournment dates.

"I tell the magistrate I have nothing against her and I am sorry. I think she took the apology to heart, from the look on her face and her body language I could tell that."

Saying he was searched before leaving jail, Clarke said, "They (prison officers) did their work, I give them that credit."

Adding that officers at the Port of Spain Magistrates' Court also searched him, Clarke said: "There was no loop hole with the police, I was properly searched.

"All I can say is at that time (January 8) I was not myself because I was not being administered my tablet. I had to beg for my tablet last night (Tuesday)."

Lamenting that he was beaten following the faeces throwing incident, Clarke said: "I was beaten too, I will not tell you by whom because I will get more licks."

On January 8, Maharajh-Brown, who was presiding in the Eleventh Court, screamed and fled the courtroom after Clarke dipped into his side pocket and pulled out a plastic bag which he threw.

The first bag missed Maharaj-Brown, but hit the wall behind her, causing the bag to burst and spill onto the wall and Maharaj-Brown.

As Clarke dipped his hand again into his pockets, Carty quickly rose from his seat and positioned himself in the middle of Maharaj-Brown and Clarke, in a bid to protect the magistrate.

Other officers arrived in the courtroom upon hearing Maharajh-Brown's screams and attempted to subdue Clarke.

Clarke had appeared in court a few minutes after 10 a.m. on a charge of arson and malicious damage and was denied bail by Maharajh-Brown.

He then proceeded to throw the bags of filth.