The half-inch laceration on the forehead of Bolans resident Wayne Joseph is reportedly due to being struck by a senior police officer with a gun butt. (Photo by Tameika Malone/OBSERVER Media)

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Just two weeks after two police constables were charged and bailed for allegedly beating a Hispanic painter, another man is stepping forward, claiming that he too was the victim of an unjustified beating by lawmen.

Bolans resident Wayne Joseph alleges that in the pre-dawn hours of July 12, while walking to his mother’s Golden Grove home, two men emerged from a vehicle and beat him on his right shoulder. He claims a third man, allegedly a senior police officer, hit him with a gun butt.

Joseph explained that he was on his way home from a Thursday night activity and, after realising that he would be unable to get a bus home, he proceeded to his mother’s place.

The Bolans man said he did not know the duo were police officers, as they did not identify themselves.

The 29 year old said he was made to sit on a culvert while the officers contacted their superior, who apparently arrived on the scene shortly afterwards “in a private car.”

The Bolans resident said a man, who he believes is a sergeant, emerged from the vehicle and when he attempted to find out why he was being held and beaten by the duo, he was told to be quiet.

“He drive the gun in my head and when I got the blow, I felt blood on my face and I was placed in the second vehicle and taken to the Gray’s Farm Police Station,” Joseph said.

The young man said he was placed in a cell, his shoes and shirt were confiscated and he was given a white shirt to wear while in police custody.

Joseph was only released several hours later when his boss was contacted and vouched on his behalf.

The father of two continued that it had been almost a decade since he’d had any run-in with the law and said he was still confused why he was targeted. He said the officers never searched him and he was baffled by the beating, particularly as he claims he co-operated with them.

A family physician who examined Joseph concluded that the injuries were consistent with the nature of the alleged beating.

A police spokesman confirmed the force was aware of Joseph’s allegation and was awaiting an official report into the incident.

(More in today’s Daily OBSERVER)

Tags: accuses | beating | Bolans man | Bolans resident | golden grove | Gray’s Farm Police Station | lawmen | pistol-whipping | police | Wayne Joseph