and felonious wounding. Micheal Layne of Charlestown, Georgetown, appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Layne was not required to plead to the indictable charges which alleged that on August 23, 2025, on John Street, en Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, he wounded Rafeek Khan with intent to murder him.

It is also alleged that on the same day, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Julian Vanlange with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause grievous bodily harm. The accused was represented by attorney Dexter Smartt who requested bail on behalf of his client. The lawyer told the court that on the day in question, his client was attacked by Khan and Vanlange and was acting out of self-defense.

Smartt added that his client was dealt lashes to his head and body with a glass bottle and was subsequently taken to the hospital by police officers for stitches. He assured the court that Layne is not a flight risk. The prosecution objected to bail due to the seriousness of the offence, preservation of public safety and the safety of the virtual complainants. It added that the defendant and Khan are known to each other and sometime during August, the accused was involved in an accident with his car and had taken it to Khan’s repair shop on August 22.

The court heard that the men agreed that Layne would pay USD 80,000 for the repairs; he would leave his car and make a down payment of USD 30,000 and when he returned, he would pay the balance. When the accused returned, he discovered that no work was done; Khan later approached Layne requesting some money which was denied, as a result the 24-year-old man went to move his car when he was accused by Khan and Vanlange of hitting Khan’s car.

The prosecution further stated that an argument ensued and Layne punched Khan, and Vanlange hit Layne in the head with a bottle. Layne then went to his car, armed himself with a cutlass and dealt Khan and Vanlange several chops about their bodies. (Kaieteur News)