Derek Shawn John remanded in custody

Derek Shawn John has been remanded in custody after Chief Magistrate Sonya Young denied him bail in a matter where he stands accused of two counts of attempted murder.{{more}}

John is charged with the attempted murder of Kenisha Belgraves of Brighton and Claudine Simmons of Green Hill on Saturday, February 4.

Belgraves sustained 18 stab wounds, while Simmons received multiple stab wounds.

John, Belgraves, Simmons and Belgraves’ two children were in a vehicle driven by Belgraves, on the way from a picnic at Owia with friends, when the incident is said to have occurred.

When John returned to the Serious Offences Court yesterday, prosecutor Inspector Adolphus Delpesche informed the court that Belgreaves spoke to him personally and told him that she was living in fear.

“She told me personally that she does not want to keep looking over her shoulder and based on that ground, I further object to bail,” Delpesche added.

The prosecutor noted that Simmons spoke to him by telephone and expressed similar sentiments as Belgreaves.

Simmons has since changed her place of residence.

John’s lawyer Arthur Williams said there was no evidence of threat by his client.

“If you injure somebody, they will have some fear, but no threat was made,” Williams said.

Chief Magistrate Young told Williams that his client was facing two counts of attempted murder and noted that she has to consider the injuries to both women.

“I don’t feel comfortable with this…,” Young said.

The preliminary inquiry in the matter will commence on June 15.(KW)