Man refuses to testify against friend who assaulted him

Jonathan Soodoo was yesterday cleared of an assault charge after his alleged victim, a childhood friend, opted not to testify against him.

“He is ma friend. I know he since we was small children. I ain’t want testify. Let de case done here,” Chandra Deosingh told Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

It was alleged that on Christmas day, at Hill Street Albouystown, Georgetown, Soodoo unlawfully assaulted Deosingh intent to, maim, disfigure or cause him grievous bodily harm.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. However, before the case could proceed further, Deosingh told the court that he no longer wanted to proceed with the matter against Soodoo. The magistrate then dismissed the matter.

However, Soodoo’s day in court was not over as he also faced an assault charge.

It was alleged that on December 30, 2012, at Independence Boulevard, Soodoo, together with others and armed with gun, robbed Omesh Persaud of $30,000.

He also denied this charge when it was read to him.

The prosecution objected to him being admitted to bail for this charge, noting that he has other pending matters before the court and that there is likelihood he would commit similar offences if granted bail. As a result, the magistrate refused bail and adjourned the case to January 14.