Road, Hamilton Parish last night at approximately 7 p.m. The victim, who was sleeping outside at the time, was woken when the suspect struck him in the head with the machete, causing wounds to the skull.

The victim sustained severe lacerations to both hands when he raised his arms to defend himself, as well as an amputated left ring finger.

He was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

THIEVES MAKE OFF WITH WALLET, CASH CRM Thieves make off with wallet, cash Two men had their evening out rudely interrupted early yesterday morning when a couple of youths made off with one of their wallets.

The victim was walking with a friend at 3.30 a.m. along Court Street by the entrance to the Cabinet Building when a male ran past them, immediately followed by another who then snatched the wallet out of the victim's back pocket.

The men then chased the two suspects, who ran off together through Joel's Alley and escaped.

The wallet contained a quantity of Bermudian cash, credit cards and other important items.

BIKE STOLEN FROM ELBOW BEACH CRM Bike stolen from Elbow Beach A determined thief took advantage of Thursday's good weather to prey on beachgoers. A red Palio motorcycle, rented from Oleander Cycles in Paget, was stolen from Elbow Beach between the hours of 4 and 6 p.m.

Although the cycle's handlebars were locked and a Kryptonite lock was in place, the thief made off with the cycle in the open near to the lunch wagon by the public entrance to the beach.

Not too far from that, a green Honda City Express was stolen from Lover's Lane Paget.

Cycle Crime is investigating both incidents.

PUNT STOLEN FROM MILLS CREEK CRM Punt stolen from Mills Creek Police officers are investigating the theft of a punt bearing the registration number 3536, which was stolen from its Mills Creek moorings recently, a Police spokeswoman reported. The complainant, who was looking after the punt for a friend who was overseas, described it as being approximately eight-feet long with white sides and a green interior.