VG man charged with wounding granted $70K bail

A Virgin Gorda man is facing what can be described as a serious charge after he allegedly inflicted lacerations to another man at a bar on Virgin Gorda more than three weeks ago.

Charged with unlawful and malicious wounding is 25-year-old boat captain, Robert Riley.

He was not required to plead when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards on Wednesday because the matter is indictable.

This effectively means the matter is triable before a judge and jury at the High Court.

Allegations 

The court heard that on January 27, Riley and the complainant were among persons at a bar in the Valley on Virgin Gorda.

Sometime during the night, the accused reportedly started behaving in a disorderly manner.

The court further heard that he allegedly started throwing napkins around and touching patrons including the complainant.

The court was told that the complainant tried to get away from Riley and went outside. However, the accused followed and an altercation ensued, it is alleged.

During the altercation, Riley reportedly pushed the complainant, causing him to fall. The accused allegedly proceeded to inflict wounds on to several parts of the complainant’s body with an unknown object.

The complainant was later taken to the Peebles hospital on Tortola for medical attention. He received 10 medical sutures for an eight-centimetre laceration to the forehead.

The complainant also received superficial lacerations to his chest, cheek, abdomen and finger, prosecutors said.

Following the altercation, Riley allegedly drove to the complainant’s apartment and broke a few window blades. He was not charged with criminal damage.

Bail

The Crown objected to bail because of the seriousness of the offence and what they said was a likelihood of the accused fleeing the territory. This is considering the nature of his work, prosecutors said.

However, his attorney Reynela Rawlins argued that her client turned himself in when he learnt he was wanted by police. She said her client has strong family ties to the territory; thus his reasons for fleeing was less likely.

The court ruled in favour of the defence and offered $70,000 bail. Ten thousand dollars of that bail amount should be paid in cash, the court ordered.

As part of his bail conditions, he is to surrender his travel documents to the police and is forbidden to make contact with the complainant or other Crown witnesses.

His matter is scheduled to March 5.