Georgetown Magistrate orders evaluation for sanitizer drinking man

The man who drank hand sanitizer at the Serious Offences Court on November 7 has been sent to the Mental Health Centre for evaluation.

Having spent 10 days in prison before appearing before magistrate Rickie Burnett at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on November 20, Shemmar Baptiste explained why he drank the sanitizer.

“I was focused on my case; the man just came and put the thing in my hand. Is through frustration. I didn’t know what it was for,” Baptiste explained in a soft voice.

He was at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court for a continuance in a matter for which he had appeared before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias on three charges, including allegations of theft of a cellular phone valued at $259 on September 16, assault and resisting the arrest of Police Constable 659 Landon.

Saying that Baptiste displayed abnormal behaviour, Burnett said that he didn’t think Baptiste warrants time in jail, but rather, mental evaluation.

“I am serious about it, because drinking hand sanitizer is not what a normal person would do; so, on my own, I am going to send you to be evaluated,” Burnett told Baptiste.

Baptiste was ordered to be evaluated at the Mental Health Centre and a report submitted to the court for next hearing on December 4.(GHJ)