“THIS man pelt four lash in meh back with a cutlass. I still want know if is snake he been beating. So I pick up my cutlass and chop him,” were the words of 32-year-old Marvin Britton, when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The unrepresented man pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge which stated that, on October 17, at Grove, East Bank Demerara, he inflicted grievous bodily harm on Bill Norman.
Britton, in his explanation to the court said, “Number one, this matter didn’t even concern him. Is me and another boy had a problem and he want come in like a bad man that’s how he get chop.”

Britton further explained that, on the day in question, Norman armed himself with three bricks and attempted to pelt him about his body but missed. He added that they both then armed themselves with cutlasses, but he Britton) decided to turn around and leave the matter alone. However, Norman felt differently and attacked him.

“He pelt me with three bricks and miss, after that we both picked up our cutlasses but like he didn’t able with me. When he realize I was too much for him, he start rushing to me like he playing cricket so I turn around. When I turn around this man pelt four lash in meh back with a cutlass. I still want know if is a snake he been beating. So I pick up my cutlass and chop him,” Britton explained.

However, Police Prosecutor Brian Sukhna stated that, on the day in question, Britton and another young man had a misunderstanding and Norman, who was painting a house, came down from the roof to query what was happening.

The victim and Britton got into an argument and Britton chopped him with a cutlass. The matter was then reported to the police, and, following an investigation, Britton was arrested and charged for the offence.
Magistrate McLennan, sentenced Britton to nine months in prison.