Couva man jailed for knife attack

Justice Devan Rampersad sentenced Jerry Roberts of Perseverance Village in the Third Assizes Court, San Fernando, for wounding Jerome Telesford of La Brea with intent.

Roberts was on trial for attempted murder, but the nine-member jury found him guilty yesterday on the lesser count of wounding with intent.

Telesford, 50, a rigger, had testified that at about 2.30 am on July 18, 1999, he was standing in a line of customers inside Royal Castle, Library Corner, San Fernando, when two men entered the fast-food outlet and stood behind him.

Telesford testified that the two men, one of whom was Roberts, began to misbehave and push their way in to the line. There was an exchange of words, the victim testified, but when he collected his food and was walking out of the restaurant, Roberts attacked him.

Telesford told the court that Roberts slashed him on the face and neck with a knife. Telesford sustained a nine-inch long cut on the face. He was also cut on the neck.

Telesford said he managed to get into his car during the struggle. He said he drove to the San Fernando General Hospital, where he was warded for three days.

Roberts, who was defended by attorney Ernest Koylass, claimed that Telesford attacked him and he pulled out his "work" knife in self-defence during the struggle.

Roberts began serving his sentence yesterday.