A man accused of assaulting another was granted bail when he appeared before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court recently.

Charged with assault occasioning bodily harm is 36-year-old fisherman Shawn Morrison, otherwise called 'Mad Head'. He pleaded not guilty to the offence.

attacked

Allegations are that on March 12 at approximately 8:30 p.m., the male complainant was allegedly assaulted by Morrison, who reportedly attacked him with a knife at the Causeway Bridge. In attempts to defend himself, it is believed that the complainant used a stick to ward off the accused man. The two reportedly got into a tussle thereafter.

Morrison was subsequently arrested and charged.

In court, Morrison sought to give his version of the events that day. He explained that a group of fishermen, which he previously befriended, rapidly became his foes when they made sexual advances to him.

"They start to put words to me like I am a girl. I told them I am not up to it," Morrison said. "From that, them gang me and beat me up."

reports made

The accused told the court that he had made several reports to the police regarding the alleged assaults he endured, but members of the protective forces dismissed him as being a "mad man".

"They start to mock me and give me the numbers they wear on their shirt and tell me I can go to INDECOM," the accused said. "I asked the police, 'What proof to you have that I am a mad man?' You ever see me a eat out a garbage pan?' Dem say mi a squatters."

The court heard that the prosecution was not opposed to bail for Morrison.

Subsequently, Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey granted Morrison bail in the sum of $5,000 in his own surety. He is scheduled to reappear in court on April 27 pending a mention hearing.