A jury has freed 38-year-old Desmond Hamilton, also called 'Glimpsie', farmer and mechanic of Rejoin, Hanover, of a wounding charge.

Hamilton said, in his defence, that the complainant was wounded by residents of the community because the complainant had attacked him.

Hamilton was accused of wounding Delroy Pillar, a farmer of Cold Spring, Hanover.

Pillar testified in the Hanover Circuit Court that on April 13, 2006, he heard the accused arguing with his (Pillar's) father about some missing goats.

Intervened

He said he took up his machete and intervened. He said he hit the accused with a stone and the accused left his father's yard. Shortly after the accused returned with his brother and three other men. They kicked open the door to his house and threw stones at him. He said the accused chopped him several times .

Hamilton, who was represented by defence lawyer Sherron Barnes, said, in his defence, that the complainant attacked him while he was talking with the complainant's father about his missing goats. Hamilton said the complainant chopped him in the head and he cried out for help.

Rescue party

Hamilton said his brother's friends came to his rescue and attacked the Pillar. He said he did not take part in the attack on the complainant.

Constable Roger Forrester said that on April 13, 2006, Hamilton came to the Sandy Bay Police Station with a wound to his head. Constable Forrester said Hamilton had earlier reported his goats missing. The constable said he did not arrest anyone for wounding Hamilton.