Charge Against Harrison Sutherland Officially Dropped

It’s good news for Doctor Sutherland, as criminal charges against him were officially dropped in the Magistrates Court today. Last week, a police officer charged the Good Samaritan, formally known as Harrison Sutherland, for carrying a five-gallon bottle of water on his bicycle in a way that supposedly didn’t give him full control. He was detained for several hours and then brought before a magistrate. Sutherland pleaded not guilty, explaining that he was carrying the water to help an elderly person. After the story aired, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams stepped in, calling the charge unusual and unreasonable, and requested it be withdrawn. On Monday, Sutherland expressed his gratitude to the commissioner, but it wasn’t until today that the charge was officially dropped. In court, Sutherland was told that the prosecution wasn’t offering any evidence against him, so the case was dismissed. He was informed that he didn’t need to return to court. Outside the courtroom, Sutherland shared his relief and gratitude after the charge was officially withdrawn.

 

Harrison Sutherland, Belize City Resident

“It is an offence. But for a plastic bottle that have no offense to the public. So you the try explain that the gas tank weh unu the ride with, the zinc deh, the pint bottle and those, so dende dah nuh danger, but the plastic bottle dah danger.”

 

Reporter

“Now that you understand the law and if you had another opportunity to assist somebody how would you go about doing that knowing that the law exists?”

 

Harrison Sutherland

“I would think twice now because I was just helping an old lady and I get crucified for that. Cho, me nuh into help nobody no more. Like weh unu seh, the good suffer for the bad.”