A Belize City fisherman pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated assault this morning when he appeared before Magistrate Herbert Panton, who arraigned and released him on a $1,000 bail plus one surety in the same amount.

Fisherman Ernest Meighan, 57, a resident of 10 Queen Charlotte Street, was charged with committing “aggravated assault with a deadly weapon” – a 2”x4” piece of stick, against Walter Dawson. The incident occurred on Thursday, July 10.

Meighan was granted bail on the condition that he stays away from Dawson, the virtual complainant. Panton ordered Meighan not to communicate with Dawson or any other prosecution witness in the case.

Meighan is scheduled to return to court on September 11.

According to a brother of the accused, the incident occurred at their family home when Dawson asked his brother (Meighan) for $2. When Meighan told him that he did not have any money, Dawson allegedly told him: “I wah mek yuh suck meh private.”

Meighan, according to his brother, left the room, went into the yard and returned with a piece of stick, with which he hit Dawson in the head.

Dawson fell unconscious and regained consciousness about 5 minutes later, said Meighan’s brother.