Bail denied | VG man allegedly wounds relative, escapes police custody

A Virgin Gorda man was denied bail when he appeared before the Magistrate’s Court for allegedly wounding a relative and escaping lawful custody.

Raynard Matthew was not required to plead when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards on Friday.

Allegations

The court heard that the Matthew, his uncle, his mother and other relatives all reside together at a family residence in Gun Creek, North Sound.

On May 18, Matthew’s 52-year-old uncle had a heated conversation with his sister and decided against sleeping inside. He opted to take a towel and a pillow to sleep outside on the porch.

Sometime later, the uncle alleges that he saw his nephew, Matthew, standing over him, ‘looking scary’.

A short while later, he reportedly felt a hard chop at the base of his neck and felt what he suspected to be blood oozing from the area.

Matthew subsequently fled the scene, and the matter was reported to the police, the court heard.

The uncle was taken to the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic on Virgin Gorda and was later transported to the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital on Tortola for a deep laceration measuring about 20 centimetres to the right side of his neck. 

Escaping custody

The court heard that when Matthew was arrested, he was taken to the Virgin Gorda-based clinic, given medication, then taken back to the police station.

The court further heard that while two police officers were removing his handcuffs, he shoved them away, pushed another officer he met on his way out, and fled.

He was subsequently immobilised with a taser and recaptured.

During his interview with police, he reportedly admitted to stabbing his uncle.

“I am tired, and I did what I did,” he allegedly said.

Bail

In court, the Crown objected to bail based on the seriousness of the charge of unlawful and malicious wounding. The Crown argued that there is a strong likelihood of another rift erupting at the same dwelling if bail is granted.

While addressing the court, the accused man said he was suffering from schizophrenia. This is effectively a mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally.

Matthew said he has no steady job, but would ‘hustle’ by assisting persons with their groceries for pay. He was, however, denied bail and ordered remanded at Her Majesty’s Prison.

His matter was then adjourned to July 2. He is currently unrepresented.