CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan on Wednesday, October 2, 2019, remanded a former art teacher of the New Campbellville Secondary School for the attempted murder of his neighbour.

44-year-old Brian Matheson of Wortmanville, Georgetown, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Matheson was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that, on September 27, 2019, at Wortmanville, Georgetown, he wounded Ronald Bettencourt with intent to murder him.

The unrepresented man told the court that Bettencourt attacked him first and threatened his life. Matheson also stated that he made several reports to the police for Bettencourt but he was ignored by the officers.

However, Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers stated that, on the day in question, Matheson armed himself with a kitchen knife and went into Bettencourt’s yard and stabbed him to the abdomen.

Bettencourt was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was admitted while 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 hospitalized and was in a critical condition.
Magistrate McLennan, after listening to the prosecutor, remanded Matheson to prison until October 16, 2019, and ordered a psychiatric evaluation for the man.