For the second time this week, Fyzabad grandfather Peter Charles was refused bail when he appeared in court, charged with throwing acid on his common-law wife, Linda Thomas. When 64-year-old Charles reappeared in the Siparia First Court yesterday, magistrate Avason Quinlan denied his application for bail and adjourned the matter to October 10.
Charles, a construction worker of John Jules Trace, New City Avenue, is accused of throwing a corrosive substance on Thomas on September 20 with intent to cause bodily harm. It was his second charge of attempting to escape lawful custody at the Siparia District Health Facility on September 25 that caused Quinlan to refuse his bail bid.
On Monday when he appeared before magistrate Taramatie Ramdass, he was refused bail as she gave police a chance to conduct a check on his criminal record and to get an update on Thomas’ medical condition. Yesterday, court prosecutor Sheldon Ablacksingh confirmed defence attorney Ramnarine Soogarsingh’s claim that Charles had no previous convictions or other pending matters before the court.
Ablacksingh said Thomas was unable to attend the hearing as she was still warded at the San Fernando General Hospital. Charles, a father of six, was charged on Monday by Fyzabad WPC Vincent after he allegedly threw muriatic acid on Thomas after an argument at their home. He was held three days later at a house at Saltmine Trace, Fyzabad, after his photograph was shown on a television programme.