western bureau

A chef accused of wounding an elderly man, who went to buy food from his cook shop, had his bail extended when he appeared before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.

The man, Nigel McLean, of Spring Gardens, St. James, is facing a charge of unlawful wounding to which he has pleaded not guilty.

The charges arose out of an incident in August in which 54- year-old Wesley Grant, also of Spring Gardens, was allegedly chopped to the left side of his head, landing him in hospital.

Mr. Grant alleges that on August 23 he went to the accused man's cook shop and ordered a $100 lunch. However McLean, who was gambling with other persons, told Grant to leave. Grant however insisted that he wanted a $100 lunch, as he was very hungry.

It is further alleged that the accused man went to the back of the shop and returned with a machete that he used to chop Grant.

Grant allegedly was transported to the Springmount police where he made a report. He was then transported to the Hope Medical Centre where he underwent a CT scan before being sent to the Kingston Public Hospital the following day.

He was released from hospital after spending five days. McLean was arrested on October 23.

McLean's $30,000 station bail was extended until December 12. The court is still awaiting the medical report to complete the case file.

-Tashieka Mair