Maverick De Abreu, a Robb Street resident was today arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on a charge of wounding Trinidadian soca singer, Rodney LeBlanc, well knowns as, Benjai.
Le Blanc flew into the country this morning and was present in court for the hearing when the charge was read to De Abreu by Magistrate Fabayo Azore.
De Abreu, 27, of 66 Robb Street, Bourda pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on the 16th April, 2017, at Palm Court, Main Street, Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded LeBlanc.
According to one of LeBlanc’s lawyers, his client had just finished performing and was outside of the night club when the incident occurred between LeBlanc and De Abreu.
LeBlanc’s lawyer told the court that his client, while standing outside of the night club compound, tapped on a vehicle that was reversing in his direction. As a result of this, De Abreu exited the car and asked the singer, “You think is Trinidad, you deh?” and pointed a gun in LeBlanc’s face. The lawyer told the court that not long after his client was struck with an object causing injuries to his face. LeBlanc was immediately rushed to the Woodlands Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. He later left the hospital with 25 stitches to his face.
The lawyer told the court that he had no objections to bail but asked that it be a substantial amount.
Magistrate Azore, after listening to the facts as presented by one of the singer’s lawyers, granted De Abreu bail in the sum of $50,000.
The next hearing for the case is scheduled for October 11.
The charge comes four months after the wounding, as police were unable to apprehend De Abreu. A wanted bulletin had been issued for De Abreu after a statement from the singer’s lawyer had identified him as the suspect.
Earlier this year, in May, De Abreu was charged with shooting at his pregnant wife and sister-in-law.
The complainants refused to offer evidence against De Abreu, leaving Magistrate Leron Daly no alternative but to dismiss the charges and let De Abreu go free.