KINGSTON, Jamaica — A mason who pleaded guilty to stabbing a man for a piece of ‘grabba’ was sentenced to two years in prison last Tuesday.

Vincent Folkes pleaded guilty with explanation to wounding with intent and unlawful wounding following an altercation with Damion Lee on December 18, 2014.

Both men were charged for wounding each other on Vietnam Road in Kingston.

They were slapped with wounding charges as a result of an altercation over a piece of ‘grabba’ or tobacco, during which the accused allegedly used a ratchet knife to stab the complainant all over his upper body, puncturing his lungs.

In his defence, the accused man said that Lee attacked and chopped him on his hand, which has since impeded his ability to carry out his trade.

He insisted that after Lee attacked him, he pulled his knife and stabbed Lee several times in an attempt to save his life.

Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey was not moved by his explanation and subsequently sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment.

Racquel Porter