Youth granted $8 000 bail in wounding case

A 20-year-old Halls Road, St Michael man, accused of harming a woman on December 21, was released on $8 000 bail after his attorney highlighted his clean record and employment status.

Shiquon Shaheim Gale, who appeared before Magistrate Alison Burke, was not required to plead to the charge that he harmed Shania Clarke with intent to maim, disfigure or disable or to do her some serious bodily harm. 

Prosecutor Police Constable Cindy Greaves objected on several grounds, including the degree of violence used, that the accused had been allegedly armed with a flick knife, had made threats and the prevalence of such offences in society. She said that the complainant had been seen at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, treated and subsequently discharged.

Gale’s attorney Romain Marshall, however, successfully argued that while there appeared to be a trend of such offences before the court, it must consider the individual during bail application, highlighting his client’s clean record, his age, employment status and support system.

Releasing him on bail and adjourning the case until April 17, 2026, Magistrate Burke ordered him to stay away from Clarke until the matter is fully adjudicated.