Rasbert Turner, Portmore Star Writer

A 23-year-old Portmore man who allegedly wounded a man who he alleges tried to extort him was granted $80,000 bail in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

He is Mikkhail Gayle, a labourer of Greater Portmore, St Catherine.

When the case was mentioned, the accused pleaded not guilty.

His lawyer, Courtney Maxwell, told the court his client was only defending his life after being attacked after he refused to pay over money to the complainant.

"Your Honour, the complainant attacked my client with a ratchet knife. Both fell and he was hit by my client, " Maxwell said.

Bail was subsequently granted on condition that they reappear in the Spanish Town RM Court on October 30.

Allegations are that on July 6 about noon, Gayle was at a worksite where money was being paid for road cleaning. When the complainant started collecting $200 from each worker to offset a bill he owed, the complainant was reportedly knocked unconscious with a stone thrown by the accused.

He was hospitalised for two days. A report was then made to the Portmore police, which resulted in Gayle being charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.