The police constable accused of driving a vehicle that slammed the Leader of the Unity Party, Joey Jagan into a parked car in front of Scotia Bank last week denied the charge of dangerous driving yesterday when he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate's Court.

Kunta Bowen pleaded guilty to the charges of breach of insurance and being an unlicensed driver. He was fined $20,000 and $25,000 respectively for the two charges by Magistrate Cecil Sullivan.

Canu vehicle - unauthorised driver

He was subsequently granted $10,000 bail and was given time by the magistrate to pay the fines.

Last Thursday Bowen drove PEE 3667 while he did not have a policy of insurance in respect of third party risk for the vehicle. On the same day Bowen drove the car when he was not the holder of a driver's licence.

It is alleged that Bowen drove the same car in a manner dangerous to the public.

Additionally, the wife of the person to whom the car belonged also had several charges slapped against her.

Sharmalitta Moteyna was charged with permitting an unlicensed driver to drive the car, permitting breach of insurance and breach of insurance.

She pleaded not guilty to the charges and she was granted $20,000 bail by Magistrate Sullivan.

According to reports, Moteyna's husband left her in charge of his car. On the day in question Moteyna went to Scotia Bank and surrendered the keys to the vehicle to Bowen. Moteyna reportedly gave Bowen permission to move the vehicle if he found it necessary. Around 10:30 am a vendor who was selling nearby asked Bowen to move the car. Bowen started the engine and reportedly drove off at a fast rate. In the process, Jagan who was standing on the northern side of the road behind a pick-up was struck after the front of Bowen's vehicle hit the pick-up. He was subsequently rushed to the public hospital. He suffered a broken leg and other injuries about the body as a result of the accident. He is at present in a stable condition at the institution.

After the accident Moteyna got behind the wheel and drove the car to her residence.

The matter was reported to the police and following investigations the parties were arrested and charged.

Attorney-at-law Rexford Jackson who represented the two defendants explained to the court that at the time of the accident Bowen was attempting to help Moteyna to park the car properly. At the time, he said, she was sitting at the back.

They both have to return to court on September 1. (Zoisa Fraser)