The Penal father accused of chopping a 12-year-old boy because he allegedly slapped his five-year-old daughter has been granted $80,000 bail. Fisherman Shawn Riley is charged with attempting to murder Tefari Deen. On Tuesday, Riley, 34, was denied bail by a Justice of the Peace at the Siparia Magistrates Court. He was remanded into custody and the matter adjourned to Wednesday. When he appeared before Siparia Senior Magistrate Jo-Anne Connor on Wednesday, the charge was reread to him.
The charge alleged that Riley attempted to murder the boy at his home at Grant Trace, Morne Diablo, last Sunday. It is alleged that Riley fired the chop at the child's neck, but the child moved and was chopped on the nose. The child received 21 stitches at the San Fernando General Hospital. He is a Standard Three pupil of the Morne Diable RC Primary School. Police said the boy was accused of slapping Riley's five-year-old daughter some time ago.
Riley was not called upon to plead to the charge, which is indictable. He was charged by PC Narine. Riley was represented by Ramnarine Soorjansingh. The matter was adjourned to January 15.