Guyanese freed of assault on T&T Soca Artiste ‘Benjai’

Maverick De Abreu

Charges against Maverick De Abreu, the man accused of assaulting popular soca artiste, Rodney ‘Benjai’ Le Blanc outside Palm Court Nightclub have been dismissed. The charges were dismissed in February, 2021 for insufficient evidence.

The charge  against him was dismissed by Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Back in 2017 it was alleged that De Abreu pointed a gun at the soca artiste before he allegedly  slashing him across his face with a bottle.

30-year-old De Abreu of Broad and Alexander Streets, Charlestown, Georgetown, who was charged back in 2017, had initially denied the charge which stated that on April 16, 2017, at Palm Court, Main Street, Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Le Blanc.

After the trial, the Magistrate ruled that insufficient evidence was presented against the De Abreu. Accordingly, she dismissed the charge against him and informed him that he was free to go.

Throughout the trial, De Abreu was represented by attorney-at-law, Mark Waldron, while Le Blanc was represented by Senior Counsel Keith Scotland in association with attorneys-at-law Eusi Anderson and Arden Williams.

It was reported that on the day in question, Le Blanc had just finished performing at the Pulse Entertainment’s Soca show titled “Easter Phenomenon” at the Palm Court Night Club. After the show, he was outside the nightclub standing awaiting transportation.

Soon after motor car PLL 2456, which he was standing behind reversed close to him.  Benjai in an attempt to get the driver’s attention tapped on the vehicle. De Abreu reportedly then exited the vehicle and allegedly pointed a gun at the artiste’s face while threatening to kill him.

Reports are that he armed himself with a bottle and slashed the singer across his face. Benjai was taken to a city hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and received over a dozen stitches. The matter was reported and following an investigation, De Abreu was arrested and charged.

De Abreu who is no stranger to the courts was charged in 2017 for shooting at his pregnant girlfriend and her sister.

It was alleged that the man on February 1, 2017, at Industrial Site Ruimveldt, Georgetown, discharged a loaded gun at the wowomewith intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause them grievous bodily harm. 

However, the matter against him was dismissed after the women told the court they did not wish to proceed.

Editor’s note: Updated on 21st April, 2021 at 10:10.