A 23-year-old farmer was on Thursday remanded to prison after being charged with the murder of a fellow villager, following a deadly altercation at Lima Sands over the weekend.

The accused, Saif Majid, of Lot 491, Lima Sands, appeared before Her Worship Tamieka Clarke at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court, where the charge of murder was read to him. He was not required to plead, and was remanded to prison until July 29, 2025, when he will make a second appearance before the magistrate.

Majid is accused of murdering Gary Melville, a 46-year-old labourer, sometime between 20:00hrs on June 27 and 05:30hrs on June 28.

According to reports, the alleged murder stemmed from a confrontation between the two men, who were reportedly friends. On the night in question, they were seen consuming alcohol with others at a shop in the village. Eyewitnesses reported that Majid was drinking High Wine, while Melville consumed several 592-branded beers.

A female shopkeeper told police that during the gathering, Majid accused Melville of burning him with a cigarette. An argument ensued, which quickly escalated into a physical altercation. The shopkeeper recounted seeing Melville on the ground, and Majid bleeding from the head.

The men were separated by another patron, after which Melville walked away heading north, and Majid departed shortly after on his motorcycle in the same direction.

The following morning, around 05:30hrs, a 48-year-old resident discovered Melville’s lifeless body lying on the eastern side of the Lima Sands Public Road. The police were summoned, and investigators found the body bearing injuries to the face, back of both hands, both feet, and the right knee.

The deceased was transported to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The body has since been taken to the Suddie Hospital Mortuary, where a post-mortem examination is pending.

Majid was later located and taken into custody. He was observed with injuries to his head, left hand, and knee. He was treated at the Oscar Joseph District Hospital and then placed in police custody.