A relationship gone sour was cited as the reason behind a man's decision to attack and injure his 19-year-old ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend.

Facing a charge of attempted murder is 39-year-old, Karl Vanhorne, of Zion district in St. James.

But when the matter was mentioned in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court, on Wednesday, the teenage complainant, who received 13 stab wounds from Vanhorne, told the court that she did not wish to pursue the matter.

RM Winsome Henry said that the complainant would have to give a statement to the police indicating her decision, but at the same time asked that the matter be investigated to ascertain why the complainant had a change of heart. She also suggested that the complainant receive counselling from the Victim Support Unit.

Vanhorne, who turned up at court sporting a neckbrace and crutches, was remanded in custody despite his attorney's pleas for him to be released on humanitarian grounds.

Defence attorney, Charles Sinclair, argued that his client sustained his injuries after he attempted to flee from a group of persons, with whom the complainant was travelling.

The attorney claims that this person attacked his client because they believed he played a role in the death of a man in Zion, who, residents said, was killed in cold blood by the police.

However, the court was informed that the accused jumped from the third floor of the Cornwall Regional Hospital in a bid to escape after he had stabbed the complainant.

Allegations are that on September 8, the complainant and her boyfriend were in downtown Montego Bay when they were attacked by the accused. The complainant's boyfriend was stabbed several times. Subsequently Vanhorne fled the scene.

It is further alleged that the complainant and her boyfriend were at the Cornwall Regional Hospital at the x-ray department to receive treatment for the injuries received when Vanhorne entered the hospital and proceeded to stab the complainant several times. She fell to the ground and the accused continued to stab her.

The court heard that several persons came to the teen's assistance and the accused man ran to the third floor where he proceeded to jump from the building. He fractured both legs, dislocated his hip and sustained injuries to his neck.

Vanhorne is scheduled to return to court on October 17.