A Mauritius national who admitted stabbing two fellow seamen on board a Bermuda-registered vessel was yesterday sentenced to four months in prison.

Reeteshwar Shibchurn, 21, pleaded guilty to unlawfully wounding Badrinath Ramessur and Jean Matthieu, both Mauritius nationals, on board the Island Princess while he was a seaman, on March 31.

In Magistrates' Court, Shibchurn's lawyer, Ken James, thought the matter was going to trial as Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner commented at an earlier hearing, when Shibchurn pleaded guilty, that there might be a defence.

However, Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo did not vacate the guilty pleas. Mr. James said he thought Mr. Warner had vacated the pleas, when he had not.

Before sentencing, Mr. James said his client acted in self defence and was in a situation where he was "overcome by fear". He said if a custodial sentence was imposed, it should be suspended because his client was a young man with no previous convictions.

"He understands what it is to feel a sense of accountability for wrongdoing. That can be reason to give him a second chance. He's prepared to so whatever is necessary to ensure this is not his path in life."

Mr. Tokunbo said he reviewed the summary of evidence, the photos and victim impact statements and took into account Shibchurn's unblemished record.

He explained although the defendant may have acted in self defence, an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate.

During the earlier hearing, the court heard the altercation began during the night of March 30 and went on to the early hours of March 31 when the ship was heading toward Aruba having left Costa Rica via the Panama Canal.

Mr. Matthieu and Mr. Ramessur were in Shibchurn's cabin with his roommate when he asked them to leave because he wanted to go to bed. However, the men did not leave.

Moments later, a verbal dispute began and Mr. Matthieu pushed Shibchurn into the hallway then was stabbed when he turned around. Mr. Ramessur was cut when he tried to break up the fight.

Both men were treated aboard the vessel. Mr. Matthieu received an eight-centimetre wound to his chest, a wound to his left bicep muscle and a wound to his left hand or wrist. Mr. Ramessur received an incision to his right hand.

Shibchurn was found in possession of a three-inch black pocket knife and he admitted to stabbing the men but claimed it was in self-defence.

Both victims were taken off the ship in Panama where they stayed to receive treatment at the hospital.

The matter was dealt with on the Island because it happened on a Bermuda-registered vessel.