By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN with a prior manslaughter conviction was remanded to prison yesterday after pleading guilty to assaulting his neighbour with a cutlass on Exuma Street last week.

Shannon Walkin, 29, was arraigned before Senior Magistrate Shaka Serville on a charge of assault with a dangerous instrument. He was accused of attacking John Thomas with a cutlass on April 26.

Although Walkin pleaded guilty, he denied having a cutlass during the altercation. He claimed he confronted Mr Thomas because someone had broken into his room and stolen items. Walkin said he dislikes thieves but maintains a friendly relationship with his neighbour, even occasionally cooking for him in the yard.

He added that he pleaded guilty only because he had no one to sign his bail — his family lives in Abaco and his girlfriend is currently abroad for surgery. Walkin said he works as an electrician.

Prosecutor Inspector Cordero Farrington told the court that Walkin was previously convicted of manslaughter in 2018 for the fatal stabbing of 38-year-old Alfred Watkins on December 21, 2015, in Spring City. He was initially sentenced to 12 years in prison, though two years and four months spent on remand were deducted from that term.

Walkin told the magistrate that Watkins had been his “favourite” uncle and that the stabbing occurred during a domestic dispute. He said his uncle provoked the incident.

Walkin was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. His case resumes on May 2.