St Michael farmer remanded on two charges

A 40-year-old farmer facing criminal damage and wounding charges is now remanded at Dodds pending his next court appearance.

Nathaniel Lerone Gooding, of Marine Square, Westbury Road, St Michael is accused of damaging a window and a motor car belonging to Ian Walker as well as unlawfully and maliciously wounding Jessica Knight sometime on July 31.

He has denied the charges before the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court.

Sergeant Verdon Forde objected to the accused being granted bail given the serious nature of the offences. Gooding also had a similar previous record and the prosecutor said he feared that he would reoffend as well as interfere with the complainants.

The prosecutor said there were also fears that Gooding would not surrender to the court if given bail at this time.

In his application for bail, the accused claimed that he had attended all his previous court dates.

Gooding said: “They talking about the serious nature of the offences but no one looking at my injuries. I have three stitches on top my eye and three behind my head,” said Gooding who was seen with bandages to the forehead, the back of his head, his right arm and left wrist.

“I believe that the prosecutor is objecting to bail because I on bail already.

“I was defending myself. If you see, I have no front teeth, no bottom teeth,” Gooding, who maintained that he and Knight were friends, said.

But Chief Magistrate Weekes ruled against his bail application saying “things need to cool down for now”.

Gooding was remanded to reappear on October 4. Weekes also ordered that he receive medical treatment while he is housed at Dodds prison.