A Canadian man has been charged with the attempted murder of his wife during their Jamaican vacation last week after she allegedly said she wanted to separate.
The man, identified as Paul Martin of Ajax, Ont., was charged after his wife's throat was slashed near the resort area of Montego Bay on Dec. 23. His 34-year-old wife, Cathy Lee Martin, underwent surgery and survived.
The incident occurred along a road in Falmouth, just east of the resort community of Montego Bay, where the couple was vacationing.
Police were alerted when a passing taxi driver witnessed a struggle between two people in a car on the side of Stewart Castle Road, said Radio Jamaica correspondent Karen Madden-James.
The driver turned around and returned to the car, where he found Cathy Lee Martin with her throat slashed.
He rushed the woman to a hospital in Falmouth, located on the island's north shore.
Madden-James told CTV News Channel the accused went to a police station and told officers his wife was attacked by a carjacker while they were sightseeing.
Paul Martin was arrested and remains in custody.
Police Supt. Linette Williams-Martin alleged in court the incident took place after Cathy Lee Martin said she wanted to separate.
Cathy Lee Martin is out of hospital and staying at an undisclosed location on the island, but she is scheduled to return to Canada after Tuesday's preliminary hearing in Trelawny, said Television Jamaica reporter Latoya Johnson.
Johnson told CTV News Channel that Cathy Lee Martin is scheduled to take the stand at the hearing to tell a judge how the serious injury was inflicted and who attacked her.
Claude Rochon, a spokesman for Foreign Affairs in Ottawa, said the department is aware of the allegations.
In an e-mail to CTV.ca, Rochon wrote that Canadian consular officials in Jamaica are "working closely" with Jamaican authorities to gather additional information and are available to provide consular assistance to the Ontario couple.
Foreign Affairs released no other information. The department isn't confirming the identities of the husband and wife.
The Jamaica Observer newspaper reported the couple had been staying at the Rose Hall hotel and was supposed to return to Canada the day of the incident.
