A young mother says she is terrified for her life after the Friendship Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday granted bail to her former husband, who is accused of repeatedly stabbing her during an attack last December. She reportedly broke down in tears when the ruling was handed down.
The survivor, 25-year-old Claurine Prescod, was ambushed and stabbed along the Soesdyke–Linden Highway on December 4 last year. The assault, captured on video, occurred in the presence of her three-year-old son, who was left traumatised. Prescod told associates she was stabbed 24 times.
Her ex-husband, Navin Stoll, was charged with attempted murder and had been on remand for eight months. On Wednesday, the presiding magistrate granted Stoll bail in the sum of $800,000.
Prosecutors had opposed his release, but the court proceeded, reportedly while Stoll appeared via Zoom, and ordered strict conditions barring him from contacting Prescod or approaching her.
Despite those conditions, Prescod remains fearful. In a Facebook post after the hearing, she lamented that people accused of trying to kill others can still be released on bail and said she is relying on divine justice.
Prescod’s mother said on Thursday that she, too, is afraid Stoll could violate the court’s order and harm her daughter again. She travelled out from the interior to stay with Prescod following the decision. The matter is expected to return to court in November.
Video footage showed Stoll repeatedly stabbing her as bystanders shouted for him to stop. Investigators were told the Stoll had asked her to meet at a landmark known as the “Jamoon tree” to collect their child; an argument allegedly followed, and the man armed himself with a knife and stabbed her multiple times.
Stoll then fled in a car bearing registration PWW 4862. Prescod was taken first to the Diamond Hospital and then to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery.
The Stoll later surrendered to police and was charged with attempted murder.
