ANTHONY Persaud, who is accused of stabbing a man with a pair of scissors during a robbery in 2016, on Wednesday pleaded guilty to an attempted murder charge before a High Court Judge.

Persaud was arraigned at the Demerara High Court before Justice Brassington Reynolds and admitted that on March 22, 2016, in the county of Demerara, he wounded Navindra Budhu with intent to commit murder.

Prosecutor Simran Gajraj presented the state’s case while attorney-at-law Teriq Mohammed is on record for Persaud.

Prosecutor Gajraj told the court that Persaud and Budhu are not known to each other.

According to the prosecutor, on the day in question around 18:02 hours the victim was walking along the University of Guyana (UG) Access Road, Cummings Lodge, when Persaud passed him on a bicycle.

Persaud subsequently dismounted the bicycle, approached him and pushed his hands into his pocket. The victim pushed Persaud away; however, this caused Persaud to become annoyed and he cuffed the victim to his face.

The victim retaliated and punched Persaud to his mouth and broke two of his teeth. Persaud then pulled out a pair of scissors and stabbed the victim six times about his body.

Persons who witnessed the ordeal rescued Budhu and also captured Persaud. Persaud was handed over to the police and was later charged.

Mohammed told the court that his client indicated to him that although he attacked the victim, he did not attempt to rob him.

Prosecutor Gajraj requested that a psychiatric evaluation be performed on Persaud given his attorney’s disclosure that he attacked the victim.

The judge granted the request and also ordered that a probation report in favour of Persaud be presented to the court.

He is expected to be sentenced on April 8, 2022.