Essardo Jefferson on June 12, 2012.

Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

Essardo Jefferson on June 12, 2012.

Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

An 18 year-old young man is before the court for allegedly stabbing a Purcell businessman who intervened in an attempted robbery of a bicycle. It is alleged that the youth was attempting to rob another man of his bicycle.

Essardo Jefferson is charged with attempted robbery and inflicting grievous bodily harm. During his court appearance yesterday, June 12, Jefferson did not plead to the charges due to the absence of his lawyer.

It is alleged that sometime after 8:00 pm on June 6, Samuel Tong, the owner of the bicycle was in Purcell Estate in the vicinity of Rowan Martin's business entity where he parked his bicycle.

According to the crown, Jefferson allegedly came to the area and asked who the bicycle belonged to, as he wanted to go down the road with it. The court heard that Tong in response told Jefferson that he was not aware who the bicycle belonged to; however, he told Jefferson that he couldn't take the bike and walked over to him.

It is alleged that this did not sit well with Jefferson, who became angry with Tong and wielded a knife at him, threatening to take the bicycle.

The court heard that businessman Rowan Martin, who had observed what was taking place, went outside with an air gun from his shop. It was stated that this caused the defendant to run off, but not before promising to return.

It is alleged that Jefferson returned shortly after and entered the building that houses the business and pushed Martin, then a struggle ensued. It was during the struggle that Jefferson allegedly stabbed Martin twice. Jefferson then escaped on foot.

Martin was taken to Peebles Hospital where he received stitches for the wound under his breast and another at his chest.

Jefferson will return to court on June 19.