Man who chopped neighbour to be sentenced today

A 27-year-old man who pleaded guilty to chopping his neighbour, is expected to know his fate today. Naresh Ramkisson, of Kelly Village, Caroni pleaded guilty to wounding with intent when he appeared before Justice Maria Wilson in the Port-of-Spain Six Assizes on Monday.

Through his attorney Keith Scotland, Ramkisson admitted to chopping Seon Sylvester during an incident at Railway Bar in Caroni on August 25, 2005. According to the facts of the case, Sylvester was standing on the road in front of the bar around 10 pm, when he was attacked by a cutlass-wielding Ramkisson.

Sylvester told police he was shocked that he was attacked by Ramkisson since both men had no interaction other than on the day of the attack. Prosecutor Joy Balkaran told the court Sylvester was chopped on both hands while defending blows from Ramkisson. Because of complications caused by his injuries, Sylvester had to undergo surgery in 2010 in order to regain movement in his forearms.

Scotland, in a mitigation plea, said his client was willing to pay the victim $25,000 in compensation for injuries to avoid him having to take civil legal action. Scotland asked the court for a non-custodial sentence for Ramkisson considering his remorse and guilty plea. Scotland claimed his client attacked Sylvester while being “highly intoxicated” and would not have done so if he was sober.

Ramkisson is the father of a three-year-old daughter. He is the sole caregiver, the court heard. Ramkisson was also represented by defence attorney Asha Watkins.