A 37-YEAR-OLD Lethem businessman was on Wednesday placed on $70,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for maliciously wounding another man.Lawrence France called ‘Fifty’ pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on December 9, at Tabatinga, Lethem Central Rupununi he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Shawn Brutus.

France attorney, Jerome Khan in his application for reasonable bail explained that his client was the victim of an attempted assassination and that the police had held Brutus as a suspect. “The matter has gained the attention of the crime chief and also investigation into the matter is currently being done by ranks in the Lethem area,” Khan pointed out.

The lawyer further explained that the allegation by Brutus is an attempt against France for him to drop the charge and investigation. Police Prosecutor, Simon Payne made no objection to bail which was granted by the Chief Magistrate to the sum of $70,000. The matter was transferred to the Lethem Magistrate’s Court for March 7, 2017.