A sunglasses vendor and his customer were on Tuesday brought before the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on charges of unlawfully assaulting each other. The vendor was placed on self-bail and his customer on bail.
When the charges were read to them by Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle, Keino Blair, 34, of 21 D’Urban Avenue Street pleaded not guilty and Paul Bishop, the 23-year-old vendor of Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme pleaded guilty with explanation.
It is alleged that on January 22 on Avenue of the Republic the men unlawfully assaulted each other so as to cause actual bodily harm.
In his defence, Bishop told the court that Blair had purchased a pair of sunglasses from him and later told him that the sunglasses were damaged. Bishop said he examined the sunglasses and told Blair that he would exchange them. However, on the day he was supposed to exchange them, Bishop said, he had other engagements and therefore did not show up at his regular spot to sell. The following day, he said, he saw Blair on the Avenue of the Republic and the man asked about the sunglasses. Bishop said he explained to the man that he didn’t have the sunglasses on him and Blair then demanded cash from him. He said he explained to the man that he did not refund cash and the man began to abuse him verbally and physically. After listening to this explanation, the magistrate entered a not guilty plea on Bishop’s behalf.
Blair was placed on $15,000 bail and the matter continues on February 18 in Court Two.
