ONE month after Brian Matheson, a former art teacher was remanded to prison for attempting to murder his neighbour, he on Tuesday re-appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ court and pleaded with Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for his freedom.
Matheson, who is suspected to be mentally ill, related to the court the discomfort he has been experiencing since being incarcerated and pleaded with the magistrate to grant him bail.

“I need my freedom. The prison crowded and they only giving people bread and sugar water all day; I can’t even look at people without them getting offended. I can’t even get peace cause every minute they saying Rastaman do this, Rastaman do that,” he explained.
He added that since incarcerated, he uses his spare time to sketch portraits of persons. “Your worship I have a portrait of you and I would like for you to have it.”
Magistrate McLennan then collected the portrait after which she stated, “This is the third portrait of me you have done. Thanks, please don’t do anymore.”

It is alleged that 44-year-old Matheson, on September 27, 2019, at Wortmanville, Georgetown, wounded Ronald Bettencourt with intent to murder him. Matheson, who is unrepresented by counsel, was not required to plead to the indictable charge. In his defence, he told the court that Bettencourt had attacked him first and threatened his life. Additionally, he stated that he had made several reports to the police about Bettencourt, but he was ignored.

However, Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers stated that on the day in question, Matheson armed himself with a kitchen knife, went into Bettencourt’s yard and stabbed him to the abdomen. Bettencourt was rushed to the Georgetown Hospital where he was admitted; meanwhile, Matheson was arrested and charged.

The prosecutor objected to bail being granted due to the serious nature of the offence and the fact that the victim was still hospitalised and was in a critical condition.
Magistrate McLennan, after listening to the prosecutor, remanded Matheson to prison until November 16, 2019, and ordered a psychiatric evaluation for him.