Remand for man who allegedly attacked women

The alleged wounding and assault of two women in broad daylight have landed a 29-year-old man on remand at Dodds for at least the next 28 days.

Justin Harvey Travis Felician, of no fixed place of abode, is accused of wounding Nathania Belle and unlawfully assaulting Derika Brathwaite, causing her actual harm on October 5.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges
after they were read to him by Acting Magistrate Krystal Delaney on his appearance before the District ‘A’ Traffic Court on Thursday.

Police Constable Ralph Rollock objected to Felician being granted bail at this time, and grounded his submissions on the nature and seriousness of the charges.

“This offence was [allegedly] committed in broad daylight on one of the most popular streets in Barbados, in full view of the public. The accused has no fixed place of abode and the prosecution is of the opinion that if he is granted bail the accused may be missing in action on his court dates,” Rollock said, adding that the accused had an antecedent that suggested he has a propensity to commit such offences.

“The prosecution thinks society must be protected.”

But in her application for bail, attorney-at-law Leslie Cargill-Straker countered the Crown’s submissions and presented her client as a fit candidate for bail.

She argued that, based on her instructions, the mentioned previous charge was not of a similar nature and, therefore, Felician had not shown any propensity to commit offences like those now before the court.

Making reference to Felician’s lack of address, the lawyer submitted that her client had resided with his grandmother up until earlier this year when he moved out. She said the family member, who was also present in court and had raised him from a baby, would take him back in and “if the police are looking for him he will be back with her”.

The defence counsel further argued that all matters before the court were serious, and the important question was whether her client would turn up for court.

“The answer is ‘yes’,” stated Cargill-Straker, who said conditions could also be imposed to ensure the accused man’s attendance.

She added: “When you are charged you are innocent until found guilty. The persons for whom he is before the court, he does not know them so fears that he would interfere do not arise. He is a good candidate for bail and I ask that the court considers him favourably.”

The application was denied and Felician was remanded to Dodds until November 4.