St Catherine policeman accused of beating inmate granted bail

Police constable Ronald McLean, who is accused of assaulting an inmate at the Linstead police lock-up in St Catherine, has been offered $100,000 bail.

The bail was granted in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday following an application by attorney-at-law Peter Champagnie.

Champagnie argued that McLean, who is attached to the Linstead Police Station, is a serving member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, is of sound character and is a first-year student at the Norman Manley Law School.

He further told the court that the complainant was convicted of an offence and will not be out of prison until 2045.

In granting bail, Resident Magistrate Horace Mitchell ordered the policeman to surrender his passport.

He is to return to court on February 23 next year.

Allegations are that while in custody the complainant, Granville Watson, was attacked by the accused and hit with an object.

A report was made and an investigation was conducted by the Independent Commission of Investigations.

McLean was subsequently arrested and charged with assault occasioning bodily harm.