Corriverton man remanded after baseball bat attack on off-duty officer

Nicholas Matthews, 33, was denied bail and remanded to prison after allegedly assaulting off-duty Lance Corporal Odeal Cort with a baseball bat in Corriverton.

Corriverton contractor remanded for baseball bat assault on traffic officer

Nicholas Matthews, 33, a contractor from Number 77 Housing Scheme, Corriverton, Corentyne, Berbice, was remanded to prison on Friday after being charged with the assault of an off-duty police officer, newsroom.gy reports.

Matthews appeared before Magistrate Tuanna Hardy at the Whim Magistrate's Court. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The alleged incident took place on June 1, 2026, at Number 79 Village, Corriverton, where Matthews is accused of unlawfully assaulting 25-year-old Odeal Cort, a Police Lance Corporal who was off duty at the time.

According to attorney Vinay Punwa, who represented the victim, Cort had just finished grocery shopping with his wife when Matthews confronted him armed with a baseball bat and struck him multiple times. Punwa stated that his client suffered both physical and mental trauma as a result, and has since experienced persistent severe migraines, with medical examinations scheduled.

Defence counsel Ryan Crawford told the court that the two men had been involved in a mutual physical altercation and were separated by bystanders. Crawford requested that reasonable bail be granted, arguing that his client would attend all required proceedings and posed no flight risk.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Shinel Mathieson disclosed that Matthews and Cort were known to each other, living in the same community. Mathieson added that Cort, who works as a traffic officer, had previously stopped Matthews on multiple occasions for traffic violations. The prosecutor asserted that evidence, including a video recording of the incident at the supermarket, indicates that Matthews initiated the assault and subsequently attempted to evade arrest.

The prosecution opposed bail, citing the use of a weapon and concerns for Cort's personal safety. Cort sustained swelling to his left elbow and injuries to his index finger.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Magistrate Hardy denied bail and Matthews was remanded to prison. The case was adjourned to the Springlands Magistrate's Court for further proceedings on June 9, 2026.

Source: Google News GY — Crime