Man gets 15 months in prison for unlawful wounding

(CMR) Jose Yamany Carter-Ramirez (25), who reportedly stabbed a man accused of touching his girlfriend's buttocks at a bar, was given a custodial sentence of 15 months, and a suspended sentence of eight months for two years.

Carter-Ramirez pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding in relation to the stabbing which reportedly took place outside Power Supply Bar last December.

Carter-Ramirez reportedly got into an argument with the man who was accused of slapping his girlfriend on the buttocks. The man denied touching Cater-Ramirez's girlfriend. Both Carter-Ramirez and the female left the location. He later returned with a knife and stabbed the victim in the chest.

The man, in fear for his life, ran, but Carter-Ramirez chased him. The victim is not aware of what happened next as he lost consciousness. However, the incident was captured on CCTV. He was taken to hospital by a passer-by.

He was taken to the George Town Hospital before being transferred to Health City  where he underwent emergency surgery and admitted to the ICU.

In sentencing Carter-Ramirez, the judge took into consideration that he entered a guilty plea and was remorseful. The court also considered that he is the father of three young children, an 11-month-old, a three-year old and a five-year old.

Justice Cheryll Richards in sentencing Carter-Ramirez started at 4 years which was increased by 4 months because the stabbing took place at a liquor licensed property and in the presence of others.

With the defendant having no previous convictions of similar nature and the fact that he handed himself over to the police, his sentence was reducedby 17 months to 35 months. This was further reduced to 23 months as a result of his guilty plea.

Due to Carter-Ramirez's circumstances, the court agreed to a portion of suspended sentence, 8 months suspended for 2 years.

He will have to enroll in an anger management program and do random drug testing upon his release from prison. He was also ordered not to have any contact with the victim or the victim's family.