WELL-KNOWN activist Mark Benschop, of Lot 183 Cane View Avenue, Roxanne Burnham Gardens and Anthony Carto, of Lot 45 James Street, Albouystown, also in Georgetown appeared in court yesterday as a result of an incident during a picketing exercise.
Benschop faced charges of unlawful assault and malicious damage to property and Carto was charged with unlawful assault.
Before Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, Benschop pleaded not guilty to the February 25 offences, which alleged that he assaulted Carto and maliciously damaged a placard the latter was carrying.
Police Corporal Venetta Pindar, prosecuting, said Benschop accused Carto of being paid $1,000 to protest against the Alliance for Change (AFC).
The prosecutor said the accusation led to an argument between the two men and resulted in Carto being assaulted and his placard destroyed.
Pindar said, that same day,  Carto unlawfully assaulted AFC member David Patterson but the defendant pleaded not guilty.
Both Benschop and Carto were released on their own, individual, recognisances and the cases were transferred to another court for April 8.