Jail for chopping sister-in-law

The judge made this observation when he sentenced Roshan Mohammed, 50, to three years imprisonment for almost severing the left ear of his sister-in-law.

“The court is alarmed by the prevalance and unwarranted agression in families, especially in South Trinidad. It appears there is an upsurge especially in South Trinidad, where families inflict injury to each other, even death in some instances,” Carmona told the court.

Mohammed, of Freeport, was charged with attempted murder, but on June 12, the State accepted Mohammed’s plea on the lesser count of wounding with intent. State Prosecutor Narissa Ramsundar said on February 1, 2004, Mohammed’s sister-in-law Ansuyia, 48, was standing in her yard at La Quea Road, Freeport.

Ansuyia was speaking with her two nieces, the court heard, when the accused came into the yard armed with a carpenter’s saw. Ramsundar said Mohammed threatened to kill Ansuyia who demanded that he leave the premises.

But the accused refused and instead, hit Ansuyia on her back with the saw. The accused, the court heard, then dealt her a chop on the left ear. Ramsundar said Ansuyia received a three-centimetre cut behind the ear, which resulted in partial loss of hearing.

In passing sentence, Carmona said that the punishment had to reflect the court’s contempt for Mohammed’s action. The judge said that he had to send a message that such actions will be not be tolerated.