Observer reporter Julian Richardson was on Friday acquitted of the charge of using indecent language to the police after the sitting magistrates expressed strong “doubt” about the evidence submitted by the arresting cop.

In freeing Richardson of the charge, the magistrates cited inconsistencies in the testimony given by Constable Hensley Morrison of the Constant Spring Police Station, as opposed to his statement.

Morrison’s inability to secure the promised corroborating witness statement to back his claim against Richardson, following a protracted period, was also cited by the court.

This led one of the two sitting justices of the peace to express doubt over whether or not the policeman was truthful about what took place on the morning of February 14 when Richardson was arrested in Constant Spring, St Andrew and charged.

Morrison was also caught in a lie when he tried explaining to the court that the other cop who was on the scene of the incident had since been shot and was unable to attend court as he was receiving treatment.

However, the policeman who was supposedly shot was photographed on duty along Red Hills Road, St Andrew and the image published in the Observer.

Richardson was taken into custody, accused by Morrison of using indecent language after being spoken to about an alleged traffic infraction.

The cop testified in court that Richardson was parked in the middle of Constant Spring Road near the Shell gas station at three o’clock in the morning and that five other vehicles had to que behind his vehicle as a result. Morrison said that Richardson had left the vehicle to purchase an item from a nearby vendor.

Morrison said he asked Richardson for his documents and informed him that he would be issued with a ticket, to which Morrison alleged that the reporter told the cops that “unnoo too [expletive] wicked”.

The allegations were, however, denied by Richardson, who also pointed out that the incident happened at 5:00 am.

Richardson – who told the court that he was fearful because of the behaviour of the cops on the scene – said he would be out of his mind to use indecent language to two “armed officers” especially at that hour of the morning.

The reporter told the court that he was charged by the policemen because he had resisted their requests to buy them refreshments. He also told the court that he was threatened with death because he said he would report the cops’ behaviour to their superiors.

Richardson expressed mixed feelings after the verdict.

“I’m obviously happy that justice has prevailed in my favour; but, at the same time, I’m still taken aback by the fact that policemen, who have sworn to serve and protect citizens like myself, can be so unlawful,” Richardson said. “However, I won’t let this experience taint my view of the entire force, which I know is mostly comprised of honourable men and women.”