A “very thorough” bail application, as well as evidence from a lawman of previous reports to the Hastings/ Worthing Police Station, resulted in Marlon Damien Weekes being remanded when he appeared in the District “A” Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
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The 42-year-old general worker, of Clapham Road, Christ Church, was not required to plead to unlawfully wounding Norman Knight with intent on December 18.
Prosecutor Constable Troy Tudor, who objected to Weekes’ release, cited Sections 6(2)(a), 3(2)(a), 6(2)(b), 6(2)(c), 5(a)(b)(d)(e) and 6(2)(d) of the Bail Act.
Arguing that the evidence was “very strong”, he said the accused and the complainant knew each other as they were neighbours. He added there were also independent witnesses.
Tudor said Section 6(c) of the Bail Act spoke to the likelihood of the accused attempting to influence witnesses if granted bail, and pointed out that the accused was familiar with the identity of the witnesses.
“There is strong outrage in the community as it relates to the defendant and it had started to reach social media,” the prosecutor said. “Other persons had to leave from where they were to prevent the accused from allegedly attacking the complainant.”
He added that numerous complaints had been made by the complainant on previous occasions.
Tudor further told the court a knife was allegedly used and the complainant had allegedly received a number of injuries, and was recently released from hospital.
He also pointed to the prevalence of such offences in society and noted the accused had recently been released on bail for another charge.
Meanwhile, Sergeant Osbourne, who is attached to Hastings/Worthing Station, revealed he went to talk to the accused after the complainant made a previous report about a month ago.
“He was so drunk, he was fast asleep on a car with a scissors in his hand. I took the scissors away from him and he didn’t even know – he was so drunk,” he said.
“This is a long-standing issue between the complainant and the accused. They are neighbours separated by a strip of land. They have been having issues about land. The problem is the accused drinks a lot and he is an angry drunk.”
Weekes later admitted he had another matter pending before another court.
Magistrate Manila Renee remanded him to Dodds Prison until January 20 next year. (HLE)