Taxi driver knocked down women, stabbed them with ice pick

-court hears

Taxi driver Chris Balkaran was yesterday charged with maliciously wounding two women, who allegedly struck down.

Balkaran was granted bail in the sum of $150,000 by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, after pleading not guilty to charges of driving a vehicle without due care, and maliciously wounding the two women.

Police Corporal Venetta Pindar, who was prosecuting, told the court that on February 23, Kamloutie Charran and Nadira Khan were proceeding west on Dowding Street, when Balkaran drove a car, hitting them both. Balkaran then came out of the vehicle and offered to carry them to the hospital and they agreed.

The women, however, then noticed the accused driving in the wrong direction and asked him to stop the vehicle. He did as he was asked but then pulled out an ice pick and stabbed them several times, causing them to suffer injuries. The matter was reported to the police and Balkaran was subsequently arrested and charged.

However, when given a chance to speak, Balkaran told the court that he was out of town on the day in question and had a slip to prove he had crossed the bridge.

Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry granted Balkaran $50,000 bail on each charge and the matter was adjourned to May 6, when it will be called in Court Two.