A man was on Wednesday placed on $500,000 bail on the indictable charge of attempted murder, after he was arrested for leading a gang attack that left the victim hospitalised.

Devon Hamilton, 20, was not required to plead to the charge, when he appeared before Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Providence Magistrates’ Court. It is alleged that on February 25 at Kuru Kuru he attempted to murder Damian De Abreu. Police Prosecutor Lionel Harvey told the court that Hamilton and De Abreu live in the same neighbourhood. On the day in question, he said, the accused interfered with the De Abreu’s girlfriend and an argument ensued. Hamilton then went away and returned with several friends who were armed with sharp weapons and they dealt De Abreu several blows. The matter was reported and Hamilton was arrested and charged.

Meanwhile, Prosecutor Harvey objected to bail, explaining that De Abreu was still hospitalised and he believed that Hamilton would not return to court. Although he admitted that Hamilton had been released on station bail, Harvey said it was the diligence of the police that was responsible for him appearing in court. Further the prosecutor stated that the other men who had attacked De Abreu were still to be charged and it was believed that they may have fled the jurisdiction. A solemn looking Hamilton stood in the dock as the magistrate asked his aunt if she would ensure that he showed up on his court days.