Police are investigating an assault on Guardian Media senior photographer Kristian De Silva while he was on duty yesterday.
The assailant, who is in his 60s and lives at Independence Avenue, San Fernando, could face charges of assault and malicious damage, police said. However, he has not yet been arrested as investigations are continuing.
De Silva said he was driving along the northern lane of Independence Avenue when he saw two nurses coming out of the car and entering a residence. He stopped at the side of the road and was taking photos when a man, who was sitting on the porch of the house, threatened to hit him with two bottles.
“I was sitting in my vehicle very calmly. He came out of his home, walked across Independence Avenue on the opposite side, my window was down, (he) came to my vehicle and push his hand in my face, hit me on my hand, hit me with a bottle, push the bottle in my face.”
De Silva said he showed the man his press pass, but he grabbed the pass from around his neck and threw it on the road.
De Silva said he “flagged down” a passing police vehicle with two police officers and told them what happened. He also pointed out the assailant’s house.
The officers, however, advised him to make a report at the police station and left.
De Silva said he went to the nearby police station where he made a report and was advised to seek medical treatment at the Pleasantville Health Centre. He said the attack was unprovoked and unjust as he was on a public road performing his duties as a member of the media.
Police officers visited the scene where the incident occurred and interviewed the assailant at his home.
A senior officer said if De Silva’s press pass was damaged then the man could also face a malicious damage charge in addition to assault.
Investigations are continuing.