Bartica drinks end in attempted murder charge

A man was remanded to prison yesterday when he appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson charged with attempted murder.

Clifford Benjamin

Clifford Benjamin, 21, of Pomeroon was not required to plead when the indictable charge was read to him.  It is alleged that on June 25 at First Avenue, Bartica he inflicted grievous bodily harm on Linden Smith with intent to commit murder.

Police Prosecutor Stephen Telford objected to bail and said that the two were under the influence of alcohol when they had a misunderstanding.  He said that Benjamin stomped Smith on his face repeatedly while he was lying motionless on the ground.

Telford indicated to the court that Smith is on life support at the hospital.

The defendant was then remanded and the matter transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for July 21.