Handyman jailed for wounding man over $5000 debt

…already served 3 years for similar attack on mother

Forty-year-old Toney Marcus was on Thursday sentenced to eight years imprisonment by High Court Judge Brassington Reynolds for feloniously wounding Etwaru Narine on July 6, 2014, at Agricola Public Road, Greater Georgetown. Marcus, who was said to have had a stable upbringing, has suffered mental health issues linked to the abuse of narcotics.
Earlier this month, the offender pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm or to maim, disfigure or disable Narine. He had been alternatively charged, having also faced the indictment of attempted murder. He however entered a not guilty plea on that charge. During Thursday’s proceedings, he was unrepresented while Attorney Tiffini Lyken prosecuted the case.
According to the facts of the matter, the two men were well known to each other and on the day in question; Narine and another friend were drinking at a shop in the community. Soon afterwards, Marcus walked up to the victim and asked him for the money he was owed and then threatened Narine. After Narine did not give the defendant the money as requested, Marcus left and returned some 30 minutes later and chopped Narine about his body. The injured man was wrapped in a sheet and transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was treated and later sent away.
Before the accused was sentenced, a probation report was presented by Probation and Social Services Officer, Aggrey Azore. It was revealed that Marcus served three years in prison for unlawfully wounding his own mother over money. During his time in prison, officers described him as disciplined but noted that he would sometimes speak to himself.
Azore told the court that the defendant expressed remorse for his actions and noted that he was angry when Narine did not return the money owed to him. The probation officer’s investigation further found that Marcus was often teased by neighbours in the McDoom, Greater Georgetown area where he lived and was even called “Mad Toney”. The court also heard that Marcus is not consistent in taking his medication even though he has been a patient of a psychiatric ward.
Justice Reynolds considered that several chops were inflicted on the Virtual Complainant, telling Marcus that he should “thank his lucky stars” that the victim did not succumb to his injuries. The Judge, contending that Marcus is “treatable”, outlined that the offender needs to be in a controlled environment where he can take his medication.
Having considered the United Nations’ estimation of male life expectancy being 63 years, Justice Reynolds started at a base of 18 years, three months for sentencing. From this number, five years was deducted for his guilty plea; four years, three months was deducted for the time spent on remand while one year was considered for his probation report. This resulted in a period of eight years for which Marcus was ordered to serve.
The offender was earlier this year ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to ascertain his mental state. Dr Bhiro Harry who carried out the assessment determined that Marcus was fit to stand trial. (Shemuel Fanfair)