Taxi driver who nearly ran over cop offered bail

A man who wounded a policeman, completely tearing his uniform shirt off him, and attempted to use his motor vehicle to drive over the lawman was offered bail in the sum of $60,000 yesterday.

When the matter was called up in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, Harris Blair pleaded guilty with explanation to all three counts.

He was charged with wounding, damaging the shirt, and attacking an officer with a weapon.

Blair told the court: "Your Honour, I make a living driving my red plate taxi. The officer asked me to move my car and because I didn't move in time, while walking to the car, him pull my shirt. Me start say things mi never mean to say and never did fi say. Mi sorry for all that."

NO-PARKINGZONE

The court, however, heard that a policeman on bike patrol was in the downtown Kingston area and saw that Blair was parked in a no-parking zone.

He was told to move his car when he began hurling expletives at the officer.

The court was told that Blair wrestled the policeman to the ground, tearing off the shirt. He left the officer on the ground and then proceeded to drive his motor car over him.

The clerk explained to Blair that the weapon charge was because he used his vehicle as a weapon.

The court heard that the policeman had to take evasive action to avoid being run over.

Blair explained that he saw more police personnel coming and was only attempting to move the car, not to drive over the lawman.

Parish judge Jacqueline Wilcot requested a social-enquiry report.

Blair is to return to court on October 8.

- A.W.