The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Court Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was sentenced to two months behind bars yesterday after admitting to assaulting a police officer as she tried to arrest his cousin.

Spencer Thompson, 26, represented by attorney Wilber Deleveaux, stood before Magistrate Kendra Kelly on charges of assaulting a police officer and obstruction.

On May 27 in New Providence, the accused reportedly assaulted Sgt Wilson while she was in the process of executing her duties by arresting Thompson’s cousin.

In his latest court appearance, Thompson reversed an earlier plea and pleaded guilty after spending almost two months on remand after failing to make bail.

During his plea of mitigation, Mr Deleveaux told the magistrate his client expressed remorse for his actions and had spared the court a lengthy trial by changing his plea.

After explaining that Thompson said that he only touched Sgt Rolle on the shoulder while she was recording the incident, Mr Deleveaux implored the court to let his client go for time served.

The prosecution then stated that the police report indicated that Thompson did come between the arresting officer and his cousin during the incident. It also confirmed that he grabbed Sgt Rolle’s left shoulder and told her to “get off my little cousin”.

The prosecution also indicated the defendant had three previous court matters, some of which are drug related, with his latest conviction being in 2018 for which Thompson served one year.

As such, Magistrate Kelly sentenced him to two months in the Bahamas Department of Corrections. Due to his time on remand Thompson was told he will be released for time served.

Before leaving court, the magistrate warned Thompson not to obstruct officers in the future or take the law into his own hands.