WESTERN BUREAU

A peanut porridge vendor who slashed a man in the face, opening his jaw, had the charge against him reduced and a trial date set when the matter was mentioned in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court.

unlawful wounding

Vinton Streete, 35, was served a copy of the medical report in court yesterday. After viewing the report, Resident Magistrate Viviene Harris ordered that the original charge of felonious wounding be reduced to unlawful wounding.

Streete was charged in March stemming from an incident on Christmas Eve, during which it was alleged he used a knife to slash the complainant in the face.

However, attorney-at-law Roy Fairclough, who will represent him at the May 12 trial, has argued that his client was attacked by the complainant and acted in self-defence. Streete's $400,000 bail was extended.

argument

It is alleged that he was involved in an argument when he pulled a knife and cut the complainant to the left side of the face. The complainant's jaw allegedly opened as the cut extended from his left ear to his mouth.

The complainant sought medical attention before making a report to the police the following day. Streete was arrested on March 3. The court was informed that he could not be located, as he had left the parish.