HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC – National team fast bowler George O’Brien has been charged in court with attacking a love rival with a prohibited Taser stun-gun, causing burns to his body.

The 24-year-old O’Brien has been accused of using the weapon against Tahir Shawki on April 28 in St. George’s parish, resulting in grievous bodily harm.

O’Brien pleaded not guilty when he appeared at Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Defence lawyer Kenville Savoury said the incident was related to “matters of the heart”, and suggested that 39-year-old Shawki was unwilling to press the case further.

Senior Magistrate Archie Warner said: “Possession of a Taser in this time is definitely a serious offence.”

O’Brien, just back from touring South Africa with the national squad which failed to reach the 2011 World Cup in Asia during qualifiers, was granted US$5,000 bail.

He will stand trial on August 18.

National coach Gus Logie declined to comment on whether the court proceedings have led to any action against O’Brien, saying it was a matter for the Bermuda Cricket Board whose chief executive Neil Speight was not immediately available for comment.