Chaz Leo Powery (25), from West Bay, was sentenced to four years in jail for attacking two West Bay residents, Phillip Messner and his girl friend Essen Atally, near to the Alfresco’s Restaurant on Town Hall Road.

The Court heard that in December 2012, Messner and Atally, who had been living in Cayman for 2 years, were walking along the road to Messner’s home at Calypso Cove when the defendant, Powery, verbally intimidated them. They ignored the abuse and kept on walking.

However, Powery came after the couple and attacked Atally from behind placing a knife to her throat. There was a struggle and they both fell over a wall that separated the road from the beach. Atally shouted to Messner to call the police and this prompted Powery now to go after Messner who he hit in the face twice.

This caused Messner to drop the cell phone he had and a backpack containing $350. Powery then stole the backpack and left. Atally had run off along the beach for about two minutes before returning to the road and joining up with Messner. A passing cyclist came to their aid and called the police who acted promptly.

Powery admitted the attack and robbery but said in his defense he had been forced to do it because a man had forced him to do it by threatening him and his family.

The jury, comprising four men and three men, after deliberation found Powery guilty of the crime and had acted upon his own initiative.

Powery was represented by attorney John Furniss.