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Sex offender stabs inmate in eye

Court reports have been ordered on a convicted sex offender who stabbed a fellow inmate in the eye with a pen at Westgate Correctional Facility.

Merrick Seaman, 31, yesterday pleaded guilty to wounding during an incident on July 15 last year.

The court heard that the complainant, Stanley Gibbons, had been watching television and reading a book in a recreational area at the prison when Seaman changed the channel.

When Gibbons changed the channel back, Seaman produced a pen and stabbed his right eye, leading to a struggle.

While the attack left the complainant with a scar, a fractured orbital and bruising, prosecutor Cindy Clarke said it was not believed that had he suffered any permanent loss in vision.

Interviewed by the police after the incident, Seaman admitted attacking Gibbons but saidhe had clinched his fists, causing him to feel threatened.

While Gibbons has since been released having completed his sentence, Seaman remains in prison serving an eight-year prison sentence for serious sexual assault. His earliest possible date of release was December 2017.

Senior Magistrate Juan Wolffe ordered psychological and psychiatric reports on Seaman, ordering that he be brought back before the court in August for sentencing.

It is The Royal Gazette’s policy not to allow comments on stories regarding criminal court cases. As we are legally liable for any slanderous or defamatory comments made on our website, this move is for our protection as well as that of our readers.