Man avoids jail after drink-fuelled attack

Cayman Islands Courts, George Town

(CNS): A local man who suffers from a bipolar disorder avoided jail last week despite being convicted for unlawful wounding and common assault after attacking his friends during a drunken night out. Wayne Dilbert (56) admitted the assault, which took place over two years ago, and although he received an 18 month sentence, Dilbert’s efforts to address his drinking and his mental health problems led the judge to suspend the jail time for 12 months. However, he ordered him to pay his victim’s medical bills at $50 per week.

The court heard that, while under the influence of alcohol, Dilbert stabbed one friend he was out drinking with five times and knocked another to the ground because he felt threatened. Dilbert, however, suffers from mental health problems, which was one of the main reasons why he attacked the men, his defence attorney had explained.

Justice Charles Quin sentenced Dilbert to eighteen months imprisonment for wounding and six months for assault but because of his previously clean rap sheet, the lack of premeditation, compliance with random drug tests and his mental health disorder, the judge decided that Dilbert could remain at the half-way house where he currently is dealing with his bipolar and post-traumatic stress disorder and not go to jail.

Nevertheless, Dilbert is required to pay $50 a week for the medical bills incurred by the friend he stabbed multiple times until he has paid off the total sum of $11,397.

The stabbing happened after the men had been out drinking in Pirates Cove in East End. Under the influence of alcohol, an argument broke out between the men and another party, which escalated to a fight. Dilbert ended up fighting one of the men he was drinking with, and despite the efforts of his other friend to defuse the situation, Dilbert felt threatened due to his disorder and acted aggressively, stabbing him five times.

The victim was stabbed once in his lower abdomen and four times in his right buttock by Dilbert, who also punched his other friend to the ground when he tried to stop the attack. He received an injury to his eye and mouth before Dilbert took off in the wounded man’s car.

Later that night when police arrested Dilbert, who was still intoxicated, he also threatened the officers. A psychologist confirmed that Dilbert’s bipolar disorder made him perceive the circumstance as a threat, which led to him lashing out. The psychologist said that this was common with the disorder and his post-traumatic stress problems and caused him to black out.

Following his guilty pleas Dilbert admitted what he did was wrong but the court heard that he was now receiving medical and psychological help. Justice Quin said Dilbert was making great progress by attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, taking part in the drug addiction programme, and had found a job in the automotive field. The court heard that Dilbert was randomly tested and was clean for both drugs and booze.

“It’s vital that you continue to carry on doing well,” the judge said. Justice Quin noted that people with mental health problems were being helped to consume drugs and alcohol and he urged people not to do this because the results were costly and life threatening to all.

CNS intern Jaida Alexander contributed to this report.