Gardener to pay $12,000 for chopping neighbour

High Court Judge Anthony Carmona has expressed concern about the dangerous trend of citizens taking the law into their own hands to seek out justice. Justice Carmona commented on this on Friday, after he placed Narine “Harry” Ramsaran, 33, on a two-year bond for chopping his neighbour Nicholas Hunt on the left shoulder in Penal nine years ago.

Ramsaran, a gardener, was also ordered to pay $12,000 in compensation. He had pleaded guilty to wounding with intent in the San Fernando First Assizes. His attorney Richard Valere said the accused and Hunt are both members of the Rebero Trace Sports Club and have since formed a brotherhood.

The judge agreed that from their body language there seemed to be no residual animosity between them, but remarked, “Indeed, there is a dangerous trend where citizens, like yourself, decide to take the law into your own hands to effect your sense of justice. “The court is concerned about the prevalence of unwarranted and aggressive violence within villages in south Trinidad.”

The incident took place at Rebero Trace, Penal Rock Road. The brief outline of the State’s case was that Hunt left his grandmother’s home and went across to his neighbour’s house, where he met three men. As he turned to leave, he felt a blow to his shoulder and saw Narine with the cutlass. The State’s case was presented by state attorneys Jennifer Martin and Chris Ramlal.

Ramsaran was placed on a $10,000 bond, which means he has to keep the peace for two years. He also paid $5,000 to Hunt forthwith and was given three months to pay the remainder. If he fails to pay all the compensation, he will have to serve two years’ hard labour.