AC technician remanded after allegedly chopping 2 men during dispute

An air-conditioning technician of Charlestown, Georgetown, has been remanded to prison after being slapped with two charges stemming from a violent altercation in Werk-En-Rust, Georgetown, last week.
Michael Layne appeared on Wednesday before acting Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where the charges of attempt to commit murder and felonious wounding were read to him.
The first charge alleges that on August 23, at John Street, Werk-En-Rust, Layne wounded Rafeek Khan with the intent to murder him. The second charge accuses Layne of unlawfully and maliciously wounding Julian Vanlange on the same date and location, with intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or cause grievous bodily harm.
Layne’s attorney, Dexter Smartt, in a bail application, described his client as a father with no previous convictions. The lawyer argued that Layne had acted in self-defence after being attacked by the two men, who are also the virtual complainants in the matter. The lawyer further told the court that Layne sustained injuries requiring stitches and assured the magistrate that his client posed no flight risk, had strong ties to his community, and would abide by any conditions if granted bail.
However, the prosecutor objected to bail, citing the gravity of the offences, concerns for public safety, and the ongoing safety of the complainants. According to the prosecution, Layne and Khan were previously acquainted. Earlier in August, Layne had been involved in a vehicular accident and subsequently took his car to Khan’s auto repair shop on Friday, August 22, to have it fixed. The two agreed on a cost of $80,000, with Layne paying an initial $40,000 deposit and promising to settle the balance upon collection.
When Layne returned, however, he allegedly discovered that no repairs had been done to his vehicle. The prosecutor stated that Khan later approached Layne seeking more money, but Layne refused. While attempting to remove his car, Layne was accused of striking Khan’s vehicle. This led to an argument, during which Layne reportedly punched Khan. Khan, together with Vanlange, allegedly retaliated by striking Layne in the head with a bottle.
The prosecution contended that Layne then went to his car, retrieved a cutlass, and inflicted multiple chops on both complainants. As a result, both men suffered serious injuries, with both of them reportedly losing a finger. They remain hospitalised.
Magistrate Latchman denied bail. She cited the seriousness of the allegations and emphasised that both complainants are still receiving medical care. The case has been adjourned to September 17.