By Latrishka Thomas
A man accused of luring another man to a beach under the guise of a sexual encounter, only to allegedly attack and attempt to kill the victim, will finally stand trial more than five years after the incident.
The defendant, who was 19 years old at the time of the alleged crime in 2020, is said to have befriended the then 29-year-old complainant through social media the previous year.
The two reportedly had a relationship where the accused would benefit from favours.
In early 2020, the accused allegedly asked the complainant to lend him $100, promising to repay it within weeks.
When he was unable to fulfill that promise, the pair supposedly agreed that sexual intercourse would serve as repayment instead.
On January 6, 2020, the two men met at Dove Trail Beach in Yeptons. The accused is reported to have been armed with a concealed knife.
As the complainant knelt with his pants off and being aroused by the accused, the defendant is accused of suddenly drawing the knife and cutting the victim’s throat.
A struggle ensued, during which the accused allegedly stabbed the complainant several times.
The complainant eventually gained control of the knife, allowing him to escape and drive himself to the hospital for emergency treatment.
The defendant was subsequently arrested and charged with wounding and attempted murder, which he has denied.
After the initial trial date this week was adjourned at the request of the defendant’s lawyer, Michael Archibald, the trial is now set for February 3, 2025 – more than five years after the alleged incident took place.
