Beaten man still unconscious

FOR almost a week, Vessigny labourer Alvin Celestine has been lying unconscious at hospital after being beaten on the head with a broken piece of pipe after a football game. Celestine, who sustained a massive skull fracture, remains at the Intensive Care Unit of the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH). A 20-year-old suspect, who was detained in connection with the wounding, was subsequently released following instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions who ruled that Celestine was beaten in self-defence since he (Celestine) had allegedly chopped the 20-year-old man with a cutlass.

According to reports, on August 19, Celestine and the 20-year-old man were playing football on Vessigny beach when Celestine became enraged following a heavy tackle during the game. Celestine reportedly stormed off the beach and returned with a cutlass which he used to charge at the 20-year-old man. Police reports said when Celestine chopped the man on his chest, his victim retaliated by beating Celestine with a discarded piece of water pipe lying in the sand. Celestine was dealt three blows on his head and fell to the ground unconscious. He was rushed to hospital. Sgt Jimmy Palloo and Cpl Anthony Monsegue of the Point Fortin police are continuing inquiries.