Assault case against Benjai adjourned

The assault case against soca artiste Rodney “Benjai” Le Blanc, who is accused of spitting on a policeman, has been adjourned until after Carnival. The case began on January 15 and was expected to continue on Tuesday with the victim, PC Valentine Eastman, scheduled to take the witness stand in the San Fernando Magistrates Court.

However, Le Blanc’s lawyer, Shalini Singh, wrote to presiding magistrate Natallie Diop asking for an adjournment as she was engaged in a matter in the High Court. Le Blanc, who was in court, is accused of spitting on the officer after performing at a fete at San Fernando Hill on December 18, 2010. He pleaded not guilty.

Corporal Anthony Wolfe, who was on duty at the fete, gave evidence at the last hearing. He testified that around 1 am he had to arrest Le Blanc and instructed Eastman to escort Le Blanc to a police vehicle to transport him to the Mon Repos Police Station. Wolfe said while Eastman was escorting Le Blanc through the crowd, both Le Blanc and the crowd became agitated.

Wolfe said: “I saw the defendant (Le Blanc) spit in the direction of Eastman. I then saw a struggle, and the defendant was placed in the vehicle.” The matter was adjourned to March 4.