Following a majority verdict in favour of the prosecution, Ryan Mootoo, also called ‘Royo’, and Halley Morgan, both of Rose Hall Town, were found guilty of wounding with intent, committed on Naresh Ramangal.
Sentencing has been postponed to March 10.
The duo had initially pleaded not guilty after the indictment was read to them before Justice Sherdel Isaacs- Marcus at the Berbice Assizes.
The court heard that on March 19, 2023, at around 20.00 hours, Ramangal was riding past the playfield in the vicinity of Beharry Street, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, where the accused persons along with the brother of Morgan, broadsided him with a cutlass. The act was perpetrated because Halley’s brother had accused the virtual complainant of telling someone that he stole their pigs.
In response to the assault, Ramangal held on to the cutlass and a struggle ensued between him and his attackers. During the course of that struggle, Mootoo pulled out a knife and stabbed Ramangal, while Morgan delivered several punches to his head.
Ramangal then attempted to flee, but was pursued into a nearby yard where he was stabbed again by Mootoo and beaten by both accused men. He was eventually rescued. As a result of his injuries. He was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital, before being transferred to the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, where he remained a patient for several days.
After his discharge, the matter was reported to the Rose Hall Police Station where an investigation was launched and charges laid.
