A Supreme Court jury took one hour yesterday to return a unanimous guilty verdict in the trial of a Sandys man charged with stabbing another in a fight last year.

But Jamaine Quidir Salaam, 19, of Beacon Hill will have to wait until March 14 to be sentenced. Salaam showed little emotion when the verdict was announced.

He had earlier denied unlawfully wounding Don Wilson with intent to do grievous bodily harm early on August 29 at the Clayhouse Inn.

Both defence witnesses yesterday testified that Wilson picked up a helmet and used it to attack Salaam after the two had exchanged words. But neither Salaam in Police statements nor the security guard who testified on Monday mentioned a helmet being used in the attack. This was one of several inconsistencies in Salaam's case.

On Wednesday, Wilson told the court that he had tried to squeeze past Salaam during a dance session at the crowded club. He said Salaam had pushed him in the chest but a bouncer had jumped between them. Wilson said that he was attempting to get the knife away from Salaam when he was stabbed in the stomach.

Both the emergency residents and the surgeon who treated Wilson in hospital agreed that his injuries were life threatening because the blade had pierced his abdomen and cut his liver. However, in statements to Police, Salaam denied Wilson's version. He said that it was Wilson who pushed and then punched him in the face. Salaam conceded that it was possible he may have stepped on Wilson's toes.

During his half an hour long summation, Salaam's lawyer Mr. Delroy Duncan told the jury to try to view the case from the point of view of what his client believed was happening at the time.

"My client was simply acting in self defence. Wilson had every opportunity to turn away and leave but he didn't. My client did not leave home with the intention of stabbing anyone.'' Crown Counsel Mr. Brian Calhoun argued that it was irrelevant who started the fight. "The central issue,'' Mr. Calhoun said, "is even if it were true that Wilson pushed Salaam did that action justify taking a knife with a five-inch blade and stabbing someone in their stomach cutting their liver? Even if a helmet were used, is inflicting an injury that could have ended in another person's death reasonable or necessary in the circumstances?'' The jury deliberated for one hour before returning with the unanimous guilty verdict. Mr. Duncan asked for a social inquiry report. Salaam will be sentenced in Supreme Court on March 14.