NASSAU-The victim of a cutlass attack has asked a magistrate to jail his attacker in addition to ordering compensation.
Michael Thompson, 30, of Wilson Track, has pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Wilfred Farrington.
Thompson chopped Farrington across the face as he took a shortcut in the Wilson Track area with his girlfriend on June 3. She ran to a neighbour for help as they began to struggle, the prosecutor told the court.
Sergeant Samantha Miah told the court that Thompson admitted the attack during his police interview. However, Thompson told officers Farrington tried to attack him with a knife.
The incident left Farrington has a four-inch scar on the left side of his face and has affected his sight.
While giving a victim impact statement before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt on Friday, Farrington said needed surgery to repair a fractured jawbone.
Farrington said, “I seek justice, jail time and compensation. I could’ve died and I take this seriously.”
According to Farrington, the incident also hurt his pocket.
He said, “I have two kids and I am the breadwinner. I also have rent to pay and I don’t know what I’ll tell my landlord next week, because I don’t have the money.”
The magistrate wants proof of Farrington’s lost earnings and his rental agreement before she sentences Thompson on Monday, June 15.
In a plea of mitigation, attorney Ian Cargill said that Thompson was “extremely remorseful.”
Thompson, a self-employed father-of-two takes care of his children and “sickly mother”, Cargill said.
Meanwhile, Thompson remains on remand at The Bahamas Department of Corrections.
Grievous harm can be tried in the Supreme Court and Magistrates’ Court. Thompson wanted his matter heard in the lower court where the sentencing cap is seven years.
