Ex-soldier charged with attempted murder

HALF an hour after surrendering to police in connection with the attempted murder of a policeman yesterday, a retired soldier was denied bail by a Justice of the Peace in the Princes Town Magistrate’s Court and remanded in custody until Monday.

Retired Lance Corporal Paul Pallackdharry-singh, 46, accompanied by his attorney, Chaiteram Sinanan, walked into the Princes Town Police Station around 8.30 am, after learning that a warrant had been issued for his arrest. On arriving at the station Pallackdharrysingh, who lives at Naparima/Mayaro Road, Tableland, was charged by Sgt Rajkumar for the attempted murder of PC Larry Legendre, 21,who is attached to the Couva Police Station. Pallackdharrysingh subsequently appeared before JP Errol Seepersad, since no magistrates were in court yesterday.

The prosecution objected to bail on the grounds that the soldier had not been traced for previous convictions or pending criminal matters. The prosecution also noted that the victim was still warded at the San Fernando General Hospital. However, in applying for bail on behalf of his client, Sinanan said Pallackdharrysingh took early retirement in January and could be called by the army to resume duties within the next three years. As such, Sinanan said, his client would therefore not fall under the category of persons disqualified for bail under the Bail Act. The attorney added that he had information that the policeman had been discharged from hospital. However, JP Seepersad expressed concern about whether the victim was still hospitalised and upheld the prosecution’s objection. Legendre, of  George Village, Tableland, was stabbed in his face, neck and both arms with an eight-inch cocoa knife outside a Tableland bar.