Magistrate Fazil Azeez at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court yesterday granted bail to a 12-year-old boy who appeared for the second time before him on a charge of unlawful wounding.
In his first appearance at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court on January 10 the minor had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded to police custody.
It is alleged that the minor on July 21 last year at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo unlawfully and maliciously wounded an 11-year-old boy. Reports are that the 11-year-old was selling icicles when the 12-year-old forced him to an isolated spot and slit his throat, stabbed him in the back and inflicted other wounds on his body using a knife. The 11-year-old spent some time in the hospital as a result of the wounds. Following the incident the file was sent to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice.
On January 10 he appeared for the first time in court. When he reappeared yesterday he stood emotionless, scarcely blinking and staring directly at the magistrate. His piercing gaze wavered only once when he looked at his feet. At times he rubbed his nose.
By contrast the 11-year-old was shy, held on tightly to counsel’s bench and gazed around the courtroom. The scar left by the wound on his throat was clearly visible. Under questioning by the magistrate he said that the defendant had threatened him.
The defendant’s attorney, Subash Ganesh in a successful bail application stated that his client’s mother will keep him under close observation.
The magistrate granted bail in the sum of $25,000 and ordered him to return to court on February 8 at the Leonora Magistrate’s court. He remarked that he had “cold eyes”.
