War of words lands vendor, neighbours in court

Camp Street vendor Narissa Rodney was on Friday arraigned on a charge of assaulting a fellow vendor after a verbal exchange allegedly ended with her using a 2×4 piece of wood to beat him.

Rodney, 25, of Lot 80 Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, stood before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer an allegation that she assaulted Isaac Subryan on October 18 at Woolford Avenue. It was further alleged that Subryan suffered injuries as a result of the confrontation. Rodney pleaded not guilty.

According to the police, both Subryan and Rodney sell in front of the Government Technical Institute on Camp Road. At 10am, on October 18, Rodney and Subryan had a verbal exchange, during which Subryan is alleged to have shoved Rodney, who obliged by shoving him back. The man then allegedly slapped Rodney, who is reported to have subsequently retaliated by picking up a 2×4 piece of wood and dealing him several lashes, causing him to receive injuries.

Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru said the incident was reported and charges were instituted.

Rodney, who pleaded “guilty with explanation,” told the magistrate that Subryan always causes trouble and he initiated the altercation. As a result, a not guilty plea was recorded for her.

The Chief Magistrate set bail at $40,000 for Rodney and issued a summons for Subryan. The case will be called again on January 31.

A verbal confrontation also led two Tucville Squatting Area neighbours before the Chief Magistrate, where they faced charges of abusive language and threatening behaviour.

Eleanor Phillips denied the allegation that on December 10, 2013, she verbally abused or orally threatened Shevon Bailey at Tucville Squatting Area. Bailey also denied the allegation that she verbally abused or threatened, Eleanor’s daughter Lorenza Phillips, on the same day.

With no objections to bail from Prosecutor Mangru, the neighbours were granted self-bail and bonded to keep the peace. They were also ordered to report to Court Six at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on January, 13, 2014.

Additionally, Rohan Persaud of La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara and Chetram Balkissoon, of Enmore, East Coast Demerara, were arraigned on charges of using abusive language and assault yesterday.

It was the police’s case that on December 11, at Cummings Street, Persaud allegedly used abusive language on Balkissoon. On the same day, Balkissoon allegedly assaulted Persaud and orally threatened him.

They both denied offending each other and were bonded to keep the peace and ordered to report to Court Six on January 14, 2014.