The magistrate made the announcement in open Court after meeting with leading Defence Counsel Basil Williams and Special Prosecutor Sanjeev Datadin in chambers.

Williams then complained that Benschop has been “constantly molested" by a Police Inspector who he named.

The lawyer also protested the shackling of Benschop while the latter is in the dock, saying the entire precinct is the Court and, therefore, there should be nothing to fear about the security of the prisoner.

The complaint caused Mr Sohan to enquire, from the Police, why Benschop was still in handcuffs, which Williams called “a malicious act”.

Benschop and Phillip Bynoe are jointly charged with the capital offence but only the former has been involved in the pre-trial proceedings, as his co-accused is at large, still eluding arrest on a warrant out for him.

Particulars of the joint charge alleges that Benschop and Bynoe conspired together with others to forcibly and unlawfully enter the Office of the President (OP) compound in Georgetown last July 3 and were present and encouraged others, by word and conduct, to unlawfully storm the premises.

Tight security arrangements were maintained around the Court and more uniformed cops were present, restricting even further access to the courtroom.

As a result, some Benschop supporters clashed with the Police and, on one occasion, a section of the barricade was breached by the throng before the situation was, once more, under control.