Youth on attempted murder charge

Hemchand Kenswil
Hemchand Kenswil

After allegedly bludgeoning another man with a piece of wood, a youth yesterday found himself before a city magistrate charged with attempted murder.

Hemchand Kenswil was read a charge which stated that on April 14th, 2017, at D’Urban Backlands, with the intent to murder, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Trevor Spencer.

The 23-year-old labourer and part-time technician was not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge.

According to Police prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, who objected to the accused being granted bail, on the day in question the accused and complainant had an exchange of words after the complainant told him to remove from a stairway. Kenswil allegedly refused, which caused the complainant to make a police report.

The prosecutor went on to state that on his way back from the police, Spencer was confronted by the defendant, who dealt him a lash to his head with a piece of wood, causing him internal injuries.

Spencer, Mansfield stated, was hospitalised for five days, while Kenswil fled the jurisdiction. He was only captured last Thursday.

Kenswil told the court that he only hit Spencer because the man had slapped him. He was later remanded to prison by the Chief Magistrate and the matter was adjourned until June 18th.