A pre-birthday celebration for a 56-year old speed-boat operator turned into a nightmare on Saturday night after he was stabbed in the neck by a police constable.
According to the police, investigations are being conducted into the incident in which Clyde Daniels, 56, of Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was allegedly stabbed to his neck with a broken bottle by a police constable during an altercation between them at a liquor restaurant in the area. The injured man has since been admitted a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).
According to Daniels, who resides along the Parika Highway with relatives, around 7 pm on Saturday evening he decided to “take a drink” with his brother at the busy community when an argument developed between himself and the police officer. He told Stabroek News that his birthday was yesterday and as such, each year he would celebrate the occasion with his friends and relatives the day before.
He said that he and his brother along with two of their friends were at a table at a liquor restaurant in the area when the police officer entered the shop. The rank was outside the restaurant “drinking” with other persons, Daniels noted.
Daniels said that when the police rank entered the restaurant, he “jumped in” a conversation which he (Daniels) and his colleagues were having. The veteran speed boat operator of 21 years noted that the argument got heated, “and he jus pick up a bottle and break it an plunge it in my neck”. The rank then ran out of the restaurant and entered the police station compound at Parika.
Daniels said that he was picked up by his brother and friends and was rushed to the hospital and according to him, “I lose plenty blood and people even thought that was the end of me”.
The wounded man stated yesterday that his condition was stable and he noted that the doctor advised him to relax since the injury he sustained was serious. He said the wound was deep, adding that he was lucky the sharp object did not touch his throat since it was “close” to it. He said the doctor noted that, had his assailant dragged the bottle, “things would be different”.
The police have since taken a statement from the injured man while the police rank held culpable was under close arrest yesterday. Charges are expected to be laid shortly.
