A Barbados magistrate has granted bail to a 20-year-old man from Halls Road, St Michael, who stands accused of a violent assault against a woman in late December. Shiquon Shaheim Gale appeared before Magistrate Alison Burke facing allegations of intentionally harming Shania Clarke with the purported intent to maim, disfigure, or inflict serious bodily harm.
During the bail hearing, Prosecutor Police Constable Cindy Greaves presented multiple grounds for objection, citing the severity of the alleged violence, the reported use of a flick knife, threats made by the accused, and the concerning prevalence of such offenses within society. The prosecution confirmed that the victim received medical treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and was subsequently discharged.
Defense attorney Romain Marshall successfully countered these objections by emphasizing his client’s previously clean criminal record, stable employment status, young age, and established support network. Marshall argued that while the court acknowledges the pattern of similar offenses, bail determinations must prioritize individual circumstances.
Magistrate Alison Burke ultimately granted Gale release on $8,000 bail while adjourning the case until April 17, 2026. The court imposed specific conditions requiring the accused to maintain complete distance from the alleged victim throughout the judicial process. The defendant did not enter a formal plea during these preliminary proceedings.
