Homeless man charged with threatening behaviour

A homeless young man was yesterday placed on a restraining order after a court heard that he pointed a knife at a man while threatening him.

Joel Standford, 22, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court where Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan read a threatening behaviour charge to him before suggesting that he speak with a probation officer and receive public assistance.

It is alleged that on June 15, at Lot 81 David Street, Kitty, Georgetown, he used threatening behaviour towards Phillip Adams. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Adams, who was present at court, said that he was in his house and noticed Standford throwing a bag into his yard. He said that

-magistrate suggests he should get into night shelter

he went and examined the bag and observed that it contained faecal matter. He said that he then approached Stanford about it and the man became upset and started threatening him. He said that he became afraid and went to his neighbour’s home and that Standford followed him before eventually leaving but returned later in the night and continued threatening him. Adams eventually contacted the police.

According to Standford, he lives in the front part of the lot where Adams resides and keeps an eye on the front house which belongs to a woman who is overseas. He said that he is homeless and sleeps on the steps of the house at Lot 81 David Street, Kitty.

The Magistrate then asked him why he has no home and he explained that he was at an orphanage until he was adopted by his father in 2010 but the man died in 2011 and he was left on the streets afterward. His mother died when he was a baby. He said that he gets by doing handyman work and cleaning people’s yards. He added that he is trying to get a security job but he is awaiting a police clearance.

The Magistrate then explained that if he is willing to work and provide for himself, she will have a probation officer oversee his files and assist him with getting into the Night Shelter. She advised him to take the opportunity to have a place to sleep and since he is young, he can eventually come off the streets. He agreed to accept the help and in the meantime, the Magistrate has ordered him to stay 50 feet away from Adams and his residence.