Bourda vendor charged with assaulting driver who hit stall

A vendor, who is accused of unlawfully assaulting the man who hit his stall, was yesterday released on self-bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

It is alleged that Russell Mendonca, of Section A, Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, unlawfully assaulted Wendell Morris in the vicinity of Bourda Market.  Prosecutor Venetta Pindar said that Mendonca, who is a vendor at Bourda Market, was at his stall on December 3, when Morris’ vehicle collided with the stall. This led to the two men exchanging words and fighting, during which the assault allegedly occurred.

Mendonca pleaded not guilty.
“I does sell phone cards,” he told the Magistrate. “Russell been on the park and he reverse his bus and it hit my stall and when I went to his bus window he tek out a cutlass and chop me up on ma neck and ma shoulder,” he continued, stating that persons came to part the fight but couldn’t, until the police arrived and detained both of them.

Mendonca was released on his own recognizance and the case was adjourned until January 18.