Sharpes man blames intoxication for unlawfully, maliciously wounding van driver

Redemption Sharpes resident Troy John told the court that he was under the influence of alcohol when he used a glass bottle to injure a man.{{more}}

John, who appeared at the Serious Offences Court on Wednesday, pleaded guilty to unlawfully and maliciously wounding Raphique Samuel, also of the same address.

Magistrate Ricky Burnette, sitting in for Chief Magistrate Sonya Young, fined John $700, to be paid by September 5, or he will spend four months in jail.

According to the facts of the case, at around 8:30 p.m., on May 31, Samuel, who operates a passenger van in the area, parked the van in the Coreas Mini Mart area. He alighted from the van shortly after and was standing under ACE Hardware, when John approached him and accused him of “calling” his name.

John then struck Samuel in the chest with a bottle.

In his explanation to the magistrate, John, who stood with bare feet in the dock, said he was not aware of what he was doing.

“I ain’t been know way ah doing and I hear them calling up my name. Same time now, when I raise up my hand, the bottle chook him in he chest…,” he explained.(KW)