Christopher Thomas, STAR Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A Green Pond, St James resident who is accused of stabbing a barber with his scissors, was remanded when he appeared in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday.

The accused man, 26-year-old Gary Graham, is facing charges of with wounding with intent. He was ordered to stay in lock-up until until the medical certificate was ready.

Graham's lawyer, Tamika Spencer, told Resident Magistrate Carolyn Tai that the two men knew each other and that Graham was a frequent visitor to the shop.

The lawyer argued that on the day in question when Graham used the clipper, the complainant got upset and started shoving and boxing the defendant, prompting Graham to defend himself with the scissors.

"From what I'm hearing, this would not be self-defence, because the response would be so extreme," RM Tai remarked.

"Graham said he was in fear. He's not a trouble maker," Spencer answered.

Graham is to be brought back before the court on August 18, at which time the medical certificate is expected to be on file.

Allegations are that on May 10 Graham went into the complainant's barbershop on Union Street in Montego Bay and asked to borrow a clipping shear, but the complainant refused. The barber briefly left the shop. Upon returning he saw Graham using the clipper to trim his beard.

The barber took the clipper from him and attempted to leave the shop, but Graham blocked his path. The complainant then brushed against Graham, who allegedly responded by grabbing a pair of scissors and stabbed him on the right side, wounding him on the wrist and shoulder.

Graham was subsequently arrested by police on June 6 and positively pointed out in a subsequent identification parade.

Under caution, he said, "If a di barber pon Union Street, a me jook him. Officer, mi neva mean fi do it, it just happen."