A Police officer yesterday admitted giving contradictory evidence in the Supreme Court trial of Derrick Duval Binns.

Binns, 34, denies wounding 65-year-old Basil Hassell with intent to disfigure him and burglary on December 29, 2001.

The trial has heard medical evidence that Mr. Hassell suffered two fractures to his jaw, which is permanently disfigured, following the attack and break-in at the house in Cambridge Road, Sandys.

Detective Constable Denise Downey testified that she arrested Binns at a house in Weathervane Lane, Sandys, on December 29, accompanied by three other officers.

Under cross-examination from Binns' lawyer Craig Attridge yesterday, Det. Con. Downey agreed that in October, 2002, she had testified that she placed handcuffs on the accused, then a Sgt. Lightbourne told Binns to pick up his belongings.

Mr. Attridge said: "That is different to what you told us yesterday."

The officer replied: "Yes."

On Wednesday, Det. Con. Downey said Binns was asked by Sgt. Lightbourne to collect his belongings, then she handcuffed him.

Mr. Attridge said: "There is no note of this conversation (between you and Sgt. Lightbourne) in your diary and no note of this in your statement.

"I suggest the evidence you gave yesterday is different from the evidence you gave in October, 2002, and the reason it is not in your diary or in your statement is because it simply didn't happen."

The officer replied that in October, 2002: "I had just returned to the Island from burying my father".

Mr. Attridge continued: "I suggest Mr. Binns was not in possession of the helmet or jacket when he left the residence in Weathervane Lane."

"Yes he was," she replied.

"I suggest Mr. Binns never kept hold of them because he never took hold of them."

"Yes he did. He kept hold of them because he took hold of them."

Vinette Graham-Allen and Wayne Caines appeared for the Crown. The trial before Assistant Justice Charles Etta-Simmons continues today.