Gostain Holder is seen here leaving the Magistrate's Court yesterday March 26, 2015. Photo: VINO

In the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday March 26, 2015 Crown Prosecutor Mr O'Neil Simpson said Holder and complainant Lisa Williams had separated in January 2015 after a 'troubling' relationship that lasted for three years.

The woman, he said, moved on and was now in a relationship with the number 2 complainant in the case, Linden Ruffin. Simpson added that it was on March 23, 2015 that the new couple were ‎in the home of Ms Williams conversing when Williams allegedly recognised the voice of the accused on the outside of the home and at the same time saw what was believed to be the blade of a machete piercing through a wooden wall of the house.

Alleged ‘machete attack’

The attorney related that Williams became scared and told her new lover that her ex-boyfriend was outside. The police was immediately summoned but before officers could have reached, Holder was allegedly seen chasing her boyfriend with the machete.

The court heard that Holder allegedly turned his attention to Williams as he began swinging the machete at her as she tried to escape. It was said that Holder tried to hit her with the weapon but was obstructed by a clothes line.

Ruffin and the attacker were then allegedly engaged in a struggle as Ruffin tried to take away the machete from Holder. By this time police officers arrived.

Not intimidated

The Crown alleged that Holder was not intimidated by the presence of the police officers even as they told him to drop the weapon. He allegedly refused, which resulted in the officers stepping in and subsequently subduing him.

Holder was un-represented when he appeared before Magistrate Ayana Baptiste-DaBreo but had indicated his attention to secure a lawyer.

The prosecution told the court that it definitely couldn't support the accused being placed on bail since, among other reasons, there was another matter against the accused and the alleged March 23, 2015 incident saw him being in breach of the conditions of the previous matter against him.

The other matter was a similar pattern of domestic violence for which Holder was released on station bail and was scheduled to appear in court on April 24, 2015. According to the Crown, it is highly possible that if allowed on bail for this most recent incident, Holder would again interfere with the VC.

Holder’s version

However, Holder had a totally different story to tell the court and noted that he was the innocent one in the last encounter. He told the court that he had gone to his ex’s home that night for monies she had owed him.

In his defense, Holder alleged that he was confronted by Ruffin with a machete and was struggling to wrestle the machete away from Ruffin when the police arrived.

Holder is to return to court on April 24, 2015 having been remanded to prison.

He is charged with aggravated burglary.