A taxi driver was yesterday granted $150,000 bail by a city magistrate after he was charged with unlawfully wounding a man who refused to work for him.
Brought before Magistrate Judy Latchman, Mark Billy was accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding Dexter Daly on August 19 at Festival City.
Billy, 47, pleaded guilty with explanation to the offence. He stated that on the day in question Daly approached him and tried to hit him, which caused him to back away from Daly.
He added that in an act of self-defence he picked up a cutlass and attempted to push him away, but Daly ended up being chopped on his hand.
Owing to the explanation given by the defendant his plea was changed to not guilty by the magistrate.
But Police Prosecutor Kerry Bostwick told the court that on the day in question, Billy had asked Daly to work for him, but Daly refused and as a result, Billy exited his vehicle with a cutlass and attacked him.
Daly subsequently suffered several injuries to his thumb and right forearm.
It was on these grounds that bail was objected to by the prosecution.
Considering all factors Magistrate Latchman granted the defendant $150,000 bail and adjourned the matter to September 6.
