Chopping accused claims self defence

Mahaicony resident Kelvon Hodge claimed self defence when he appeared before a court yesterday charged with chopping another man.

The police say the charge of unlawful wounding was instituted against Hodge, 23, after he chopped Wendell Crawford on June 21. But Hodge denied the allegation at yesterday’s hearing before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

His attorney, James Bond, in an application for reasonable bail, said that Crawford, picked up a cutlass during an altercation with his client and Hodge managed to get it out of his hold and struck him on his hand in a bid to preserve his own life.

Prosecutor Bharat Mangru informed the court that the complainant is currently out of the hospital.

Bail was set at $150,000 and the matter was transferred to the Mahdia Magistrates’ Court for July 14.