Clarendon man alleges policeman, inmate beat him

A Clarendon man is alleging that a policeman and an inmate at the Chapelton Police lock-up earlier this month beat him fracturing his hands.

McLeod ended up at the lock-up after he was picked up in his community of Prospect District in Clarendon for allegedly assaulting a neighbour.

McLeod says on October 4, he was placed in a lock-up with another inmate whom he claims instructed him to take off his shoes.

McLeod says a fight developed between the two of them after the inmate slapped him in his face.

He told The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre that during the fight, two cops came to the lock-up and placed him in a passageway.

According to him, while there, one of the cops beat him with a baton.

McLeod says he slept in the passageway overnight and was released on bail on October 5.

He claims he visited a doctor who ordered an X-ray, which confirmed that his hands were fractured.

McLeod’s mother, Iona Douglas, says the matter has been reported to the Independent Commission of Investigations, INDECOM.

However, senior Investigator with INDECOM, Owen Wright, says the agency has not yet received the statement and an investigation into the matter has not started.

Contacted this afternoon, a representative at the Chapelton Police said would not confirm or deny the reports, saying he is not authorised to speak.

He directed our News Centre to head of the Clarendon Police Division, Senior Superintendent Fitz Bailey whose cellphone went unanswered.

In the meantime, the complainant in  the case against McLeod did not turn up for court today and the case was again set for mention on November 11.