Assault accused granted bail after mother pleads for him

A 20-year-old man charged with assaulting a woman was on Wednesday placed on $10,000 bail and a bond not to interfere with the virtual complainant after his mother appeared and pleaded on his behalf at the Christianburg Magistrate’s Court.

Laurel Almon of 22 Half Mile Wismar, Linden appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan charged with assaulting Nicola McAlmon. It was Almon’s second appearance as Magistrate McLennan had remanded him to prison on Tuesday when he made his first appearance before her and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Police Prosecutor Nauth had objected to bail on the grounds that he was a potential flight risk since he works in the interior and was unable to provide his home address to the court.

However, Legal Aid lawyer Deborah Backer pleaded with the magistrate on Wednesday to recall the matter in his absence as she re-entered her plea for bail. She told the court that during his initial appearance he was extremely nervous as was his mother who was in court at the time and failed to go to his defence.

The magistrate then agreed to bail for the accused and also instituted a bond. Almon is to return to court on June 1. Should he fail to show up, Magistrate McLennan told his mother, she would face the consequences.