A 43-year-old mason, Andrew Drakes, called “Beach Clothes” was hacked to death by his neighbour on Saturday afternoon.

According to the police, Drakes was sitting on a bench in front of his yard at Lot 7 Pump Station Street, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) when he was attacked by his 20-year-old neighbour.

“The suspect saw the man sitting on a bench in front of his yard, and he armed himself with a cutlass and inflicted multiple wounds about the victim’s body and fled the scene,” the police said.

An off-duty female Detective Corporal, who was passing at the time of the incident, stopped to what assistance she could render, and with the help of residents, pursued, disarmed and apprehended the suspect.

Drakes was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body is currently at Ezekiel’s Funeral Home awaiting a post mortem examination.

Police said an injury was seen at the back of the suspect’s head, which he claimed he sustained while being apprehended. The suspect has since received medical attention, and is cooperating with investigators.

Police enquiries so far have found that Drakes had reportedly sexually assaulted the suspect the day before the incident. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.