St. Patrick’s man to pay compensation for attempted murder

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Parent Category: Jan 2012

Category: Week end Jan 21st, 2012

Published on Sunday, 22 January 2012 16:29

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A Mt. Craven, St. Patrick’s man has been ordered to pay compensation in the sum of $2,500.00 to his neighbour. Norman Phillip who pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted murder was ordered Monday to pay the compensation to his old-time friend, Augustine Charles by High Court Judge Justice Lyle St. Paul at a sitting at High Court Number Two.

The court learnt that both men, aged 62 and friends for ten years, were embroiled in a lover’s squabble. Charles had accused Phillip of having a relationship with his wife. Crown Counsel, Howard Pinnock who presented the court with the facts said that on May 1, 2011 at about 10:00 p.m. while Charles was at home, an intruder who was later identified as Phillip came into the house and placed a rope around his neck in an effort to strangle him before he was rescued by a neighbour.

Charles was taken to the Princess Alice Hospital at Mirabeau, St. Andrew’s, and then transferred to the General Hospital in St. George’s where he was admitted as a patient for 26 days. The medical report stated that Charles bled from his nostrils and ears, and there was swelling of both eyes.

Justice St. Paul ordered Phillip to pay the monetary compensation within 18 months, and in default spend 18 months in jail. The sentencing came following the commencement of the January sitting of the criminal assizes last week.

Meanwhile, Mt. Parnassus, St. George’s resident, Jerry Paul has been sentenced to five years in prison by Justice St.Paul for causing dangerous harm to a security officer after he pleaded guilty to the offence. The convicted man inflicted a wound on Desmond St. Bernard who works as a security officer at Andall and Associates Supermarket.

At the sentencing on Monday, the court was told that on April 11, 2011 just before 5:00 p.m. Paul came into the Parade, St. George’s branch of the supermarket to purchase a large packet of Phoenix Cigarettes. The 31-year old convicted man who has some mental challenges reportedly told the cashier that he had no money, and left the supermarket with the unpaid item in his possession.

The cashier alerted St. Bernard about what had taken place and the guard went after Paul. It was reported that on reaching the Bocas junction, Paul pulled out a knife and stabbed St. Bernard on the left side of the neck which resulted in him being  hospitalised for nine days.

The court was made to understand that the victim is still in pain when he turns his head. St. Bernard also told the court that he encounters some problems when speaking. In seeking to comfort the victim, Justice St. Paul urged him not to give up in the performance of his duties as a security officer.

“Put on the full armour of God and stand firmly against the devil,” the judge told St. Bernard.

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