A 36-year-old vendor, Mawali Clarke, was finally granted bail for allegedly assaulting and threatening to kill another person.
Clarke, of William Street, Kitty, a repeat offender for previous and separate crimes, had been remanded to prison in January following an altercation at the Alberttown Police Station, where he allegedly assaulted Dwayne Williams and threatened to kill and cripple him.
Charged: Mawali Clarke
Clarke, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty on Wednesday, arguing that Williams had no real evidence against him. He insisted that he had no knowledge of the crimes he was being accused of, and pleaded for bail, claiming he needed to provide for his family of two and his extended relatives.
The court reminded Clarke that his bail was originally denied due to the severity of the threats he allegedly made while already in custody.
Clarke then argued that Williams had no medical proof of an assault, but the magistrate made it clear that such proof was not necessary in this case.
Williams, who hails from Buxton, East Coast Demerara, recounted his version of events, explaining that his damaged car had been parked in an area he was responsible for. He claimed that after an explosion had awoken him in the night, he discovered his windscreen had been shattered and a bicycle was abandoned nearby. He said a neighbour reported seeing a man in a white T-shirt fleeing the scene.
Determined to uncover the truth, Williams said, he searched the area and eventually confronted Clarke, who fit the description he was given. He said that instead of responding, Clarke bolted, shouting the threats as he ran.
Williams admitted that one of the men with him had a cutlass, and he speculated that Clarke had run out of fear.
In the previous court proceeding, Clarke maintained his innocence, claiming he was the one who had been attacked. He alleged that Williams and another man had chased him, struck him down with a motorcycle, and had even attempted to chop him.
He denied assaulting Williams at the police station, stating that he was heavily restrained at the time.
Clarke was then granted bail in the sum of $10,000 for each of the four charges, totalling $40,000. As a condition of his release, he has been ordered to keep the peace and avoid any contact with Williams.
His next court appearance is scheduled for March 14.
