Orson Pollydore, accused of setting his wife on fire and later escaping from a police station lock-up, was yesterday remanded on an attempted murder charge at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Appearing before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, Pollydore was also charged with escaping from lawful custody.
It was alleged that on July 3, at Timehri, Pollydore attempted to murder Jemma Daniels by setting her on fire. It was also alleged that on July 19, at the Timehri Police Station, being in the lawful custody of Police Constable Wilson pending a criminal charge of attempted murder, he escaped from custody. Pollydore was not required to plead to the two charges, which were indictable.
In presenting his case, the police prosecutor told the court that on July 3, a heated argument ensued between the two, after which Pollydore allegedly drenched the woman with kerosene oil and set her alight.
After the incident, the police were summoned to the scene by neighbours. Daniels was subsequently rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was admitted for treatment for about a month before being discharged. Meanwhile, Pollydore was later arrested and taken into custody and a charge was laid against him.
After spending a period of time in the lock-ups at the Timehri Station, the prosecutor said Pollydore escaped from lawful custody on July 19. He was later re-arrested. The prosecution requested that Pollydore be denied bail, noting that the attack was serious and could have cost Daniels her life.
The court was also told that Pollydore may want to execute another escape bid, in an attempt to avoid trial.
Pollydore was remanded to prison until January 3, when the case will be called at the Providence Magistrates’ Court.
