A miner appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday, charged with assaulting his drinking partner, and was granted bail after denying the charges.
It is alleged that Ryan Collie, on August 11th at the Mabaruma Police Station, unlawfully assaulted Sherwin Welcome. Another charge stated that the accused, on the said date, unlawfully assaulted Welcome so as to cause him actual bodily harm.
Collie, 29, pleaded not guilty to both offences.
Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that the defendant and the complainant are not known to each other. He said that on the day in question, both men were drinking at the Kumaka Water-front when an argument developed.
Mansfield said that during the argument, the defendant became annoyed and dealt Welcome a slap in his face. Welcome later reported the matter to the Mabaruma Police Station. While at the station, the defendant again dealt Welcome several slaps and cuffs about his face resulting in injuries, the prosecutor said.
Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, who presided over the matter, granted the accused $20,000 bail on the assault causing actual bodily harm charge and self-bail on the other assault charge.
The matter was later adjourned until August 21st, when it is expected to be called at the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court.
