A police constable who allegedly stabbed a man several times about his body shortly after drinking with him was yesterday granted self-bail when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
Nigel Craig, 39, of Corentyne, pleaded not guilty to the charge of unlawful wounding.
He denied that he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Delon Smith on March 8 in the North West District.
The magistrate informed Craig that Smith had also been charged with wounding him and he would be summoned to answer to it.
Craig then stated, “I was on duty when eight ah dem attack me and wounded me.”
He said he was on the road on patrol at the time of the incident.
However, Police Prosecutor Munilall Seetaram told the court that Craig had been drinking with Smith and several others while on duty on the day in question and a fight broke out between them and both Craig and Smith sustained injuries.
Craig then exhibited a wound on his right hand that he stated was as a result of being slashed with a knife by Smith.
Seetaram also told the court that the case jacket for the matter had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice. He said that Craig had been charged as a result of the advice received. He also stated that Smith had been stabbed several times about the body.
The magistrate subsequently placed Craig on self-bail and ordered that he return to court on July 22.