A Wauna resident, accused of wounding, was on Wednesday granted bail after a court heard that his alleged victim had struck him first and had been threatening him for weeks.
Benedict Daniels, 25, was read a charge which stated that on October 9, 2017, at Wauna Village, North West District, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Leon Samuels.
Daniels pleaded guilty to the offence.
Prior to the accused explaining his side of the story, the court heard from police prosecutor Arvin Moore that on the day in question, the two men, who know each other, were drinking alcohol when a misunderstanding developed. As a result, Daniels armed himself with a bottle and hit Samuels.
Samuels was later taken to a hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries to his forehead and later discharged.
Subsequent to the prosecutor’s account of the wounding, Daniels told the court that Samuels had attacked him three times before. He stated that on the day of the incident, he was at a function when Samuels and five other persons called him. Daniels said when he turned around, Samuels hit him on his hand and then to his head, which was split open as a result.
According to the accused, under the influence of alcohol, he took the beer bottle he had in his hand and his Samuels.
Daniels further stated that in the past, Samuels would have told him, “I murder already and I’ll do it again.”
The Chief Magistrate later changed Daniels’ plea to not guilty as a result of his explanation, and also questioned the prosecutor about why there wasn’t a charge for Samuels.
She then granted the accused $15,000 bail and placed him on a bond to be on good behaviour until the completion of his trial.
The case will be called again on November 21 at the Mabaruma Magistrates Court.
