A lawyer representing a man from Felicity is challenging claims his client attempted to escape from custody by jumping out of a prisoner transport vehicle after being granted bail on domestic violence charges yesterday.
Attorney Bhimal Maharajh made the comments yesterday in response to reports that Justin Ramlochan attempted to escape following his court appearance.
According to police reports, the incident occurred around 4.45 pm, as Ramlochan and two remand prisoners were being transported in an Amalgamated Security Services Limited vehicle.
While the vehicle was being driven along the Uriah Butler Highway near Grand Bazaar, Ramlochan, who was shackled, allegedly pried open the back door and jumped out.
Ramlochan, who sustained injuries to his head, hand and face, was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope by police officers who were escorting the vehicle.
Ramlochan remained warded in a critical condition under police guard up to late yesterday and is expected to be charged with escaping lawful custody upon his discharge.
Guardian Media understands hours before the incident, Ramlochan was granted $150,000 bail after he appeared before Magistrate Adrian Darmanie to answer one charge of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, two charges ofr malicious damage and one for breaking and entering.
The charges, which Ramlochan pleaded not guilty to, stemmed from an incident with his ex-girlfriend last Friday.
Ramlochan is accused of assaulting the woman, breaking into her apartment and destroying a cellphone, television and a laptop. He is also accused of stealing a DVR system.
In applying for bail for Ramlochan, Maharajh noted he had a clean criminal record before being charged and surrendered to police after the incident. While he noted his client is denying any wrongdoing, Maharajh claimed the alleged incident occurred after the couple had an argument at a restaurant earlier that day.
Under the conditions of his bail, Magistrate Darmanie ordered that he stay 800 meters away from the victim and report to his nearest police station once weekly for the duration of his case. He was also placed on a 9 pm to 5 am curfew.
Maharajh said Ramlochan, who appeared virtually before Magistrate Darmanie, was being transported to the Eastern Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre (ECRC), where his family was scheduled to present bail documents for approval. He questioned why his client would attempt escape when he expected to secure his freedom a few hours later. —DA
“Clearly, he did not have to spend any additional time, so why would he want to escape lawful custody?” Maharajh said.
“There is something a little strange about the story where they are saying he pried open the door and jumped.”
