A November 20 mention date was set in the case of an elderly man who is accused of stabbing his housemate in the abdomen while both were at the Golden Age Home on St Joseph's Road, Kingston last month.

Police say that on September 23, a knife was used to stab 64-year-old Hubert McLean in the abdomen as he walked passed Valin Melville, on the compound of the home for the elderly. McLean had to seek medical attention.

In court yesterday, Melville pleaded not guilty to the charge in an animated way that had the courtroom in chuckles. He also told Senior Resident Magistrate Glen Brown that he needed legal aide, as he was "financially embarrassed". The request was granted.