A little-over-a-year after being on the run from the law, a 23-year-old miner was finally arrested and was on Monday brought before a City Magistrate Court to answer a charge of attempted murder.

Hemchand Kerswin appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was not required to plead to the alleged charge.

It was stated that on April 14, 2017 at Durban Backlands, Georgetown, with intent to commit murder he wounded Trevor Smith.
Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court, that Kerswin was recently arrested by the police after fleeing to the interior following the crime.
Mansfield further told the court that both parties had an exchange of words because Kerswin was sitting on Smith’s front step and refused to move.

Smith became annoyed and reported the matter to the nearby police station. However upon his return he was confronted by Kerswin, who dealt him several lashes to his head with a piece of wood. As a result Smith was hospitalised for over five days.

Mansfield objected to bail being granted to the accused on the grounds that he was a flight risk. The magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Kerswin to prison until June 18.