BASKETBALLER BEATEN BY POLICE

A member of the Young Generation Sports Club is said to be nursing a broken jaw at the General Hospital as a result of a blow to his face. He is reputed to have been hit by a Police officer on Saturday January 11th.

Reports reaching Grenada Today indicated that Green Street resident 18 year old Robert Phillip had to be rushed to the General Hospital in St. George’s, in need of facial surgery, after the blow sustained from the officer broke his jaw, on Saturday evening. reliable sources told Grenada Today that the youngster, a promising Basketball player, was in the company of another man at the Carenage Sporting Complex in St. George’s, when they were approached by a man who claimed to be a police officer, who wanted to carry-out a search.

Phillip told reporters that he was not afraid of being searched by the police, since he is not "a smoker", neither is he a user of any illicit drugs. However, he explained that he stood quietly on the side, while the officer proceeded to search his friend. He felt he had to speak out against the action of the police, after the officer literally unwarrantedly knocked down his friend. Phillip said that upon witnessing what the policeman did to his friend, he immediately called on his friend's girl-friend, who was present at the scene to ask the officer to cool down.

Phillip said that after speaking out against the treatment meted out to his friend, the officer moved in his direction and violently punched him in the face. Grenada Today learnt that the power of the blow threw Phillip to the ground and the officer immediately walked away, leaving Phillip on the ground in pain. It is understood that the officer found nothing illegal on either Phillip or his friend. they were never arrested or charged with any criminal offense. Phillip’s mother Ms. Johanna Phillip told reporters that her son was hospitalized with a swollen jaw later that evening.

She said that after her son was X-rayed she was advised that her son’s jaw was broken in two places. Ms. Phillip vowed not to leave any stone unturned in seeking justice for her son who was the recipient of such grave injustice.

Meanwhile Head of the Young Generation Sports Club Coach Nigel ‘’German’’ Mc. Kie, has condemned the action of the police. Mc. Kie who is known to have led his Carenage and Young Generation Basket Ball teams to several successful Basket Ball championships said that he will stand behind his club member in his fight for justice. Phillip was expected to undergo facial surgery on Monday January 20th.