Men on assault charges after Stabroek Market skirmish

A man was on Friday granted bail after he was charged with harming another man, who had allegedly attacked a woman with whom they both share children.

Shawn Sam was read the charge by Magistrate Leron Daly, who stated that on July 31, at Stabroek Market, he is alleged to have unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm on Oswald Wayne.

Sam, who asked to explain his actions before pleading, told the court that he was near Stabroek Market conducting business when he had a confrontation with Arlene Leacock. He added that he left and about five minutes after he received word that Wayne had hit Leacock, who is pregnant.

Sam added that he subsequently found Leacock, who was on the ground, being assisted up by a city constable. He said he then asked Wayne, who also has children with the woman, what problem they had and the man struck him with a bench, resulting in a fight between the two.

A not guilty plea was subsequently recorded for Sam, who was granted his release on $80,000 by the magistrate, who set August 18 as the date of his next hearing.

Wayne was also charged with assaulting Sam on July 31, at Water Street. He was charged too with walking behind Leacock, in breach of a protection order, issued by Magistrate Annette Singh, which had stipulated that he remain 50ft away from the woman.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Wayne was subsequently remanded to prison until August 11.