A 28-year-old taxi driver, a former police officer, accused of beating a man with a cutlass was yesterday placed on $25,000 bail when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
Sherwin Braithwaite of 1901 Festival City, North Ruimveldt is alleged to have unlawfully assaulted Wendell Austin so as to cause him actual bodily harm on October 12 at Georgetown.
Braithwaite pleaded not guilty to the charge of unlawful assault when it was read to him by the acting chief magistrate.
Attorney-at-law Adrian Thompson who represented the defendant told the court that it was the virtual complainant (VC) who had ventured into his client’s house and attacked him.
Thompson said, however, that he did not wish to expose all the different components of the case and would prefer to wait until the trial.
He then made an application that his client be admitted to reasonable bail on the grounds that he has no previous convictions, has a fixed place of abode, poses no risk of flight and has been cooperating fully with the police in their investigations.
When given a chance to respond, the VC explained to the court that on the day in question, the defendant’s girlfriend had invited him over at her place to have lunch. He said that he told the woman repeatedly that he did not want anything to eat as he was fasting but added that he later accepted her invitation as she persisted.
Austin said that while he was eating, the defendant came home and saw him in his house, reached for his cutlass and started to chop him.
“My Worship, he come in with a passion an since he see me at he, he grab he cutlass and start firing chops,” the VC said; adding that he began begging for mercy.
The defendant at this point interjected, emphasising that he was innocent of the charges. He further stated that he had received certain information that the VC who is his neighbour was having an affair with his child mother and as a result he had warned him to stay away from his premises.
The accused said further that on the day in question he went out for sometime and returned and found the VC in his house, adding that they had no idea that he was going to be back so soon.
At this point the matter was called to the bench where a lengthy discussion ensued.
Braithwaite was subsequently placed on $25,000 bail. His matter was transferred to Court Three for November 18.
