Malcolm Maduro stood in his own defense today in the Magistrate’s Court. Photo: VINO

It was the case of Malcolm Maduro who was charged for two offences, common assault and using threatening language as occasioned against the complainant Egbert Hughes. According to the allegations on December 13, 2013 Maduro assaulted Hughes by causing his hand to touch parts of Hughes’ face. Maduro pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Standing in his own defense today in the Magistrate’s Court Maduro questioned the complainant on the circumstances surrounding what he had told the court happened the day in question.

With his lack of knowledge of the procedures that applies in a court of law Maduro kept going out of line with his questioning to the point where the two constantly appeared to have been in an argument forcing the Magistrate to stamp her authority to bring them in line. She continuously guided Maduro on as to how he should conduct his questions.

During the deliberations the court heard that Maduro in addition to physically assaulting Hughes repeatedly told him, “I will f…..g mash you up.” Hughes alleged he was told this no less than six times.

The matter stemmed from Hughes allegedly repeatedly stealing away Maduro’s clients. In this instance where Maduro alleged committed the acts, Hughes had allegedly stolen two of his customers.

“I was waiting for a punch after he came like that with blood in his eyes,” Hughes alleged and also accused the defendant of telling him that he is not from here.

Maduro took the witness box also and denied all the allegations that were levied at him as he told the court that he did have cause to rebuke Hughes the day in question but he stood approximately 8ft away from him and never touched or said the threatening words.

He also told the court that on numerous occasions officials from to the Port Authority had cause to caution Hughes of his alleged behaviour of stealing his fellow operator’s passengers.

Police Constable Lydia Bishop of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) also testified in the matter today and told the court that when she approached Maduro on Saturday December 14, 2013 while on the Village Cay Dock he was told of the allegations against him following standard procedures.

She alleged that he responded by saying that he had nothing to say and had also declined to adhere to the advice of giving a statement at the Road Town Police Station. He was subsequently charged by way of a summons.

The trial concluded after Maduro testified in his own defense and is to return to court on November 28, 2014 to know his fate, if found guilty or not.