Barbados man held on remand 38 days after sword attack charges

Damian Dacosta Forde faces assault and wounding charges after an alleged sword attack on September 25. A magistrate denied bail after the prosecution cited public interest concerns.

Sword-wielding suspect denied bail, sent to Dodds Prison until October 29

A Barbados painter has been remanded to Dodds Prison for 38 days after a prosecutor successfully opposed his bail application at the No. 1 District 'A' Magistrates Court, Barbados Today reports.

Damian Dacosta Forde, of Villa Road, Upper Collymore Rock, faces two indictable charges: assaulting Tyrell Thompson, and wounding Nicholas Boyce with intent to maim, disfigure or disable, or to cause him some other serious bodily harm. Both offences allegedly took place on September 25.

Prosecutor Sergeant Victoria Leacock told Acting Chief Magistrate Douglas Frederick that releasing Forde would not be in the public's interest. She cited three factors in her objection: an offensive weapon — identified as a sword — had allegedly been used; one of the complainants remained hospitalised and was awaiting surgery; and the other complainant had been threatened.

Defence counsel Ensley Grainger pushed back on those arguments. Based on his instructions, Grainger said, Forde had himself been the subject of threats prior to the incident and had filed complaints with police. He further argued that his client was gainfully employed, had no prior court record, and posed no threat to the public.

Chief Magistrate Frederick was not persuaded. He denied bail and remanded Forde to custody until October 29.

Source: Barbados Today