A 60-year-old Richland Park resident is alleged to have chopped another villager about the body with a cutlass.

Austin Jack is indictably charged that on July 28, at Richland Park, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Augustine Dick of Richland Park, with intent so to do.

The accused appeared at the Serious Offences Court (SOC) on Tuesday, August 23 and was not required to enter a plea at this stage.
Instead, the court will consider the prosecution’s evidence before Chief Magistrate, Rechanne Browne decides whether to commit Jack to the High Court for trial.

When the issue of bail arose Prosecutor, Station Sergeant Renrick Cato did not raise an objection but asked for a surety to be provided.

The magistrate queried the nature of the alleged wounds, and whether Dick was hospitalized.

The arresting officer explained that the report they received is of chops inflicted with a cutlass to the neck, hand and leg. He also informed the court that Dick is out of the hospital.

Consequently, bail was set at $6000 with one surety. Further, the 60-year-old is to have no contact with the alleged victim and must report to the Mesopotamia police station every Friday.

His next court date is November 1.

The accused’s family has indicated their willingness to sign bail for him and they were in the process of organizing this on Tuesday. However, they were not able to do so by the time the court had concluded its sitting for the day.