Roulette attendant stabbed, suspect held

A ROULETTE machine attendant is fighting for his life at the Port of Spain General Hospital after being stabbed five times by a player at D’Bocas Bar, Independence Square, Port of Spain, on Tuesday afternoon.

The suspect, a 33-year-old man from Oropune Gardens, Piarco, was also hospitalised with injuries to the abdomen and right hand. He was under police guard at the hospital yesterday.

Police said the suspect faces several charges, including attempted murder.

Around 1 pm, 35-year-old Mark Duke of Laventille was supervising a roulette game when the suspect, who was losing, became enraged, accused Duke of cheating and began cursing Duke.

He was asked to leave, but returned minutes later with two eight-inch kitchen knives and rushed towards Duke.

Duke was stabbed three times in the back, once in the left leg and once in the right hand.

People at the bar went to Duke’s assistance and the man was held down, but refused to hand over the knives. He was injured during the struggle.

Port of Spain CID officers were called. Cpl Ramlogan led a team to the bar and held the suspect. Duke was taken to hospital for emergency surgery.