West Indian cricketer Kevon Cooper and former national footballer Shane Calderon both pleaded not guilty to a string of charges arising out of their arrests in Woodbrook on Sunday.
The friends did so as they appeared before Magistrate Carl Quamina in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates Court yesterday afternoon on seven charges related to their alleged altercation with police.
Cooper was charged with using obscene language, resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer, while Calderon was charged with using obscene language, two offences of obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty and assault to prevent lawful detention.
According to reports, around 3 am on Sunday, the pair were attempting to park along Baden Powell Street in Woodbrook when they were stopped by police. The two men reportedly argued with the officers over whether their vehicle was parked in a no-parking zone.
During their brief court appearance, their attorney Christian Chandler informed Quamina that police prevented him from speaking to his clients for over five hours while they were being detained at the Woodbrook Police Station.
He also asked that the two sportsmen be allowed to remain on the $20,000 station bail they were granted after being arrested.
Quamina made note of the complaint and certified their bail as requested by Chandler.
Cooper and Calderon will reappear in court on May 10.