Blood spills in family dispute

ASt James man has been slapped with multiple charges after he allegedly stabbed his nephew’s girlfriend and her male companion. The man, Beswick Allen, of a Jarrett Terrace address, reportedly accused his nephew’s girlfriend of cheating on his relative. He has been charged with two counts of unlawful wounding, using abusive language, and resisting arrest.

When he appeared in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday, June 6, the court was told that on May 25, the two complainants were in a room at the house that she shares with Allen and his nephew when the defendant accused her of cheating on his nephew.

A dispute developed, and during the altercation, Allen allegedly used a knife to stab both complainants. The complainants ran outside and made a report to a group of police officers on patrol. Allen was then arrested and charged.

In responding to the allegations, Allen’s lawyer, Maurice McCurdy, told presiding judge Sandria Wong-Small that the defendant had acted in selfdefence after he was attacked by the male complainant.

“My client has a defence and has medical records to show that his side may be correct. There was a fight between the gentleman and the accused man as the gentleman pushed him to the floor, and it progressed from there,” said McCurdy.

Wong-Small subsequently ordered the parties to attend mediation sessions to resolve their conflict.

They will return to court on July 19.