A Penal man who admitted to having a drug and alcohol abuse problem was ordered to pay $25,000 to his sister-in-law yesterday for chopping her in October, 2007.
Errol McIntyre, 52, of Penal Rock Road, Penal, pleaded guilty to the charge of wounding with intent on August 13 when the matter came before the San Fernando High Court.
The victim was his brother's wife, Elsie McIntyre.
The matter was heard before Justice Gillian Lucky in the San Fernando Third Assizes Court.
Attorney Subhas Panday represented McIntyre while state attorney Anju Bhola prosecuted.
After McIntyre was arrested, he spent two years, seven months in jail before being granted bail.
Lucky said the probation officer's report on the prisoner showed he was highly regarded by many but had a serious problem of drug and alcohol abuse.
She said McIntyre went to anger management classes on his own after being granted bail.
She said despite not sending McIntyre straight to jail, lawlessness in T&T would no longer be tolerated and drug and alcohol abuse should not be used as an excuse for lawlessness.
Firstly, Lucky ordered McIntyre, who works as a salesman at Tool House Limited, to pay his sister-in-law $500 a month beginning next January until the $25,000 is paid in full.
McIntyre, who has a medical history of bipolar and acute psychosis as a result of cocaine use, was also ordered to enroll in and attend a narcotics anonymous programme for a two-year period from next January. .
He was ordered to enroll in and attend an Alcoholics Anonymous programme also from next January for a two-year period.
Lucky ordered him to submit himself for monthly drug testing at the San Fernando General Hospital.
Finally, he was placed on a $10,000 bond to keep the peace for five years.
If McIntyre fails to adhere to any of the five orders, he will face 12 months hard labour.
In handing down the sentence, Lucky said the 12-month jail term was applied separately to each order and will have to be served separately for any violations.
