A bruised and bandaged Dr. Jephthah Ford as he was seen yesterday by the press for the first time since admission to the Kingston Public Hospital. Dr. Ford sustained injuries during an allegedpolice beating in Port Henderson, Portmore, on Monday. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter

Prominent medical doctor Jephthah Ford was released yesterday from the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), following his alleged beating by police officers on Monday at his Fun Citi entertainment venue in Port Henderson, Portmore, St. Catherine, on Monday.

Wheeled out of the hospital into a crowd of supporters and waiting journalists, the 55-year-old doctor said he was feeling "dizzy" and having difficulty speaking at length due to breathing trouble.

He was released into the care of his twin brother Japheth, also a doctor, with whom he shares a surgery on Red Hills Road in St. Andrew.

The doctor wore a head bandage, neck brace, his left eye was covered, another bandage covered his top lip while each hand was also bound.

Long-term damage

Dr. Jephthah Ford as he left the Kingston Public Hospital yesterday. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Dr. Ford's attorney, Patrick Bailey, said his client could suffer long-term damage especially in respect of his internal organs. The scope of the damage done to his client, he said, is yet to be fully assessed medically.

Mr. Bailey reiterated Dr. Ford's version of events leading to the former PNP candidate's hospitalisation. The attorney expressed satisfaction with the progress of the police's investigation into the incident. Dr. Ford is scheduled to appear at Spanish Town Gun Court on April 26 to answer charges of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition and assault at common law arising from the incident.

Dr. Ford thanked well-wishers, staff of the KPH and members of the police force - a number of whom he said had expressed their sympathies.

He has not yet recovered sufficiently to give a statement to the police, said Mr. Bailey.

Theinvestigation has identified four policemen with possibly more being implicated, said Deputy Superinten-dent Denver Henry of the anti-corruption branch. DSP Henry's team will submit evidence to the Director of Public Prosecutions who will determine whether excessive force was used by police.

ross.sheil@gleanerjm.com

Events

A constable who allegedly fired his weapon, unprovoked, during the incident, is under separate investigation by the Bureau of Special Investigation (BSI).

Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Granville Gause said on Wednesday that at least five witness statements have been collected. He appealed to potential witnesses to contact him at 922-7277.

The incident arose about 4:00 a.m. when Dr. Ford intervened to protect his sister Andrea, 57, who was allegedly being assaulted by security guards at Fun Citi, which she manages.

She sustained minor injuries before he intervened and challenged the guards who identified themselves as police officers who were reportedly moonlighting as employees of the promoters of 'Wet, Wet'. The venue had been hosting that party at the time.

Dr. Ford was allegedly beaten once at the venue, had his firearm taken by police and then twice handcuffed before being driven to the Greater Portmore Police Station. There, he was allegedly beaten again. He was then retrieved, unconscious, by relatives who took him to hospital.

He was bailed in the sum of $100,000 and charged.

Ford statement

In a statement, Dr. Ford claimed the following injuries:

Unconscious for two hours;

Damage to both hands with only the right having regained some functionality;

Cuts to his head;

Damage to the right eye;

Damage to both shoulders;

One broken rib;

Cut on shin.