By ALEXANDER BRUZUAL Tuesday, September 8 2009

A POLICEMAN had his $600,000 bail — to cover nine charges of misbehaviour in public office — granted by a Justice of the Peace, slashed to $100,000 yesterday by an Arima magistrate before whom he appeared to answer the charges.

Dressed in a purple jersey and blue jeans, PC Andre Barrow stood with his arms behind his back, as Magistrate Gillian David read the charges.

The nine charges were laid against the accused in relation to a quantity of drugs which were allegedly found at his home on August 13, by officers from the Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU). The drugs were exhibits used in several court cases in which Barrow was the complainant.

It is alleged that between May 12, 1999 and August 13, 2009, at Rainbow Crescent, Five Rivers, Arima, Barrow being in and performing the duties of the Police Service, did misbehave in public office.

The nine exhibits are for court cases of PC Andre Barrow vs Erica Duncan; Sheldon Bernard; Abdul Mohammed; Derrick Mohammed and Anthony De’Bello; Edward McSween; Rocky Boodoo; Roger Brown and Elton John.

When the constable was arrested on Sunday, he failed to meet one of the conditions which were established by Justice of the Peace Ackbar Khan for bail at $600,000. Barrow was represented by attorney Janette James-Sebastien, who called for the court to deal with the matter expeditiously. In her application for bail, James-Sebastien argued Barrow had faithfully served the Police Service for the past 15 years and had no previous convictions.

“He has served the (police) office for 15 years faithfully. What has transpired here is an error on his part. He is not a person who will abscond the jurisdiction and can be found very easily,” James-Sebastien said.

The attorney asked that one bail be fixed to cover all charges. David granted the attorney’s request and reduced the constable’s bail to $100,000 to be approved by a clerk of the peace, on condition that he surrender his passport to the Arima police until the matter is completed.

The matter is scheduled to resume September 15.