Brothers charged for attacking police officers

Two brothers, Stephen Embrack, 30, and Antwon Embrack, 23, from Meadow Brook Georgetown, were today charged for attacking two police officers on Camp Street, Georgetown on Monday.

The brothers appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where they faced multiple charges in relation to the incident, which was captured on camera.

The court heard that the altercation began when the brothers, who were conducting business at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), returned to find their vehicle clamped.

According to the duo’s lawyer, Dominic Bess, he was told by his clients that an exchange of words ensued between Stephen and Police Officer Elton Graham. Stephen reportedly pulled out his phone to record the encounter, at which point Officer Graham allegedly snatched it from him.

This escalated the situation, leading to a confrontation between the officer and the two brothers.

Antwan, the younger brother, reportedly intervened but was allegedly struck in the head with a police helmet by another officer, identified as Ubert Allicock.

A full-blown physical altercation then erupted, with punches being thrown between the brothers and the officers.

Both Stephen and Antwon were jointly charged with two counts of malicious damage to property: two regulation police shirts, each valued at $3,500. They were also jointly charged with two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm, relating to the injuries allegedly inflicted on Officer Graham and Officer Allicock. The men pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Additionally, Stephen faced a separate charge of malicious damage to property for allegedly damaging a police-issued body camera valued at $147,000. He also pleaded not guilty to this charge.

During the bail application, the defence attorney told the court that his clients had been in police custody for three days and had been denied medical attention despite requests from family members.

He argued that the men acted in self-defence and pointed out that both Stephen and Antwon had no prior convictions or pending matters before the court. Bess also sought to clarify discrepancies in their listed address after the prosecution claimed they provided misleading information. He explained that while the brothers currently live in Meadow Brook, Georgetown, they had also given their parents’ West Bank Demerara address as a secondary residence.

After hearing arguments, Magistrate McGusty granted Stephen bail in the sum of $110,000: $10,000 each for the damage to the police shirts, $20,000 each for the two assault charges, and $50,000 for the damage to the police body camera. Antwon on the other hand, who is facing fewer charges, was granted $60,000 bail: $10,000 each for the damage to the police shirts and $20,000 each for the two assault charges.

The brothers are expected to return to court on April 16.