A 38-year-old labourer, who is said to be mentally ill according to his brother, was on Wednesday admitted to self-bail after being charged for pelting a bottle at a woman, causing her to sustain injuries.
The allegation against Dan Dick is that on January 28 at Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Teon Anthony so as to cause her actual bodily harm.
A dishevelled Dick pleaded not guilty to the wounding charge when it was read to him by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
In giving the facts of the case, Police Corporal Venetta Pindar said that on the day of the incident, the virtual complainant (VC) was working at a salon located on Avenue of the Republic when the defendant who was passing picked up a bottle and pelted it to the VC’s forehead, causing her to sustain cuts and bruises.
The complainant who had visible injuries to the forehead was present at court.
Meanwhile, the defendant’s brother Everton Dick called “Taz” who was also at court made an unsuccessful application before the court for Dan to be committed to the Berbice mental institution.
The magistrate asked Everton if his brother has ever been taken to a doctor to be evaluated. The man responded in the affirmative, but explained that Dan, who has now taken up permanent residence on the streets and does odd jobs, refuses to visit the doctor any longer or take his medication.
The acting chief magistrate then told Everton that he has to first furnish the court with a medical certificate outlining his brother’s mental ailment before the committal can be granted.
Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry then enquired from Everton if he could afford monetary bail for his brother regarding the wounding charge. After explaining that he would be unable to do so, the magistrate sent Dan on his own recognizance.
She, however, firmly told Everton who said that he resides at D’urban Backlands Squatting Area that he would be responsible for his brother returning to court. In case of failure in that regard, she said, Everton would be issued an arrest warrant.
In ordering that a medical evaluation be conducted on Dan, the magistrate also endorsed on his warrant that the police assist in taking the man to the hospital after Everton explained that it is usually a difficult task to accomplish owing to his brother’s refusal and physical resistance.
The matter was adjourned to March 1 for reports and the presentation of a medical certificate.
