‘Massive’ on trial for assault

The neighbour of chutney singer Nermal “Massive” Gosine yesterday recalled how the singer allegedly used a three canal cutlass to planass him.  Wayne Dharanpaul took the witness stand yesterday as Gosine went on trial before San Fernando Fifth Court Magistrate Rae Roopchand charged with two counts of assault by beating and using obscene language. The offences allegedly took place last December at Mootoo Lands, Marabella.

Dharanpaul said around 9.20 pm he, together with his wife and employee Andrew Richardson, were about to enter his driveway when he saw a “big massives stone” blocking the entrance. He said he came out, moved the stone and placed it where it was before. He said his neighbour Gosine came out on the road and began cursing him. Dharanpaul testified that Gosine took a three canal cutlass about three feet in length out of his car trunk and began planasssing him on his left side. 

He said Richardson came to his rescue. “He (Richardson) got some lash and planass as well. He (Richardson) came to part and push me aside and that is when I saw what was happening with the said cutlass.” Asked by prosecutor Sgt Marlon Bruce how he felt, Dharanpaul said, “I had a lot of pain. It was embarrassing. I felt humiliated.” In cross examination by attorney Kevin Ratiram, Dharanpaul said there was bad blood between him and Gosine over a boundary issue. He said waste water from Gosine’s property was also causing erosion of his (Dharanpaul’s) land. However, he said he held no malice towards Gosine since the issues were rectified. The matter was adjourned to tomorrow at 10 am.