a"remarkable'' forgiveness speech by his victim.

Terry Lee Pitt, 35, slashed Wesley Tucker, 29, with a switchblade outside the Moonglow Club, St. George's, after a marathon drinking session.

He caused an eight-inch gash from Tucker's temple to his neck, which was dangerously close to the vital carotid artery and could have killed him.

But on Tuesday Tucker told Puisne Judge the Hon. Mrs. Justice Wade he had forgiven Pitt and regarded him as a father.

Yesterday Pitt was before the judge again, for further consideration on his sentence.

Crown Counsel Mr. Stephen Harrison, prosecuting, criticised defence lawyer Mr.

Richard Hector for producing Tucker as a surprise witness for Pitt.

But he admitted the testimony from Tucker and other witnesses had changed his view that there was no alternative to jail for Pitt.

The attack did seem to be out of character for Pitt, said Mr. Harrison, and there were "decidedly unusual'' aspects to the case.

"The most remarkable aspect is the eloquent words used by the complainant to describe his attacker -- someone who caused him very serious and indeed life-threatening injuries,'' he said.

Mr. Hector argued there were legal precedents for suspended sentences in cases where jail would be usual, and reminded the judge of Pitt's otherwise good character.

Pitt, a painter and maintenance worker of Queen Street, St. George's, told the judge he had nothing to say about the March 8 attack on his friend.

Mrs. Justice Wade said: "I can't emphasise enough that any person who arms himself with a prohibited weapon and uses it as in this case should expect a custodial sentence.'' But she accepted it was an isolated incident, and when sober, Pitt was a hard-working, patient man who was concerned about others.

She said she had taken into account Tucker's degree of forgiveness, shown by the fact he was not seeking compensation for the attack.

And she had borne in mind Pitt's remorse, especially his attendance at alcohol counselling sessions.

For wounding Tucker, which Pitt had admitted, she gave him 18 months suspended for two years. And for carrying a flick-knife, also admitted, she fined him $300.

She said the suspended sentence was on condition he attended counselling. He would have to return to court on June 1, 1993, to report on how he was progressing.