yesterday for a machete attack which almost punctured his victim's brain.

In jailing Wayne, Puisne Judge Vincent Meerabux also ordered that he should get counselling in resolving conflicts as well as drug therapy.

Last May, Wayne was found guilty of unlawful wounding by a jury at the Supreme Court.

During the trial the court heard that an argument over a $20 drugs debt escalated into violence when Wayne clubbed Lovell Geno (Super) Trott with a machete.

Sentencing Wayne yesterday, Mr. Justice Meerabux said: "This is a case of violence where a serious wound with a machete was inflicted on the victim.

"It must be made clear that this type of violence involving the use of a weapon, specifically a machete, against anyone in our society is unacceptable and must attract a sentence of imprisonment.'' He added: "Violence is very prevalent in our society and it seems it is used as a means to sort out problems.'' Mr. Justice Meerabux ordered that while in Westgate Wayne should undergo counselling to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence. He also ordered that Wayne undergoes treatment for drug dependency.

Before Wayne was sentenced his lawyer Victoria Pearman told the Supreme Court that a social inquiry report on her client showed he had a close relationship with his daughter.

"This unfortunate incident arose when Mr. Trott threatened and then attempted to take by force money that the defendant allocated for the care of his child,'' said Ms Pearman.

She added that the report showed that Wayne had promise as a student, but that he had to abandon his studies due to cash problems.

Ms Pearman told the court that about two weeks before the incident there was an argument between Wayne and Mr. Trott.

"On the day of the offence there was evidence that the defendant twice ran away from Mr. Trott. The defendant said that Mr. Trott was terrorising him.

"The real fault of the defendant in this case was merely to allow himself a momentary loss of control. The defendant was acting out of some degree of provocation and, or, self defence,'' added Ms Pearman.

During the May trial, the court heard that the attack took place on August 25, last year, outside a building on North Shore Road, Hamilton Parish.

The court was told that Wayne, of Mount Wyndham Drive, Hamilton Parish, owed Mr. Trott money for heroin, but when asked for the cash he said he only had money for his two-year-old daughter's nursery.

An argument started and Wayne was punched twice by Mr. Trott -- in the eye and mouth before the machete attack -- and ran into the building to get away from Mr. Trott who, he said, was chasing him.

Inside the building Wayne, who told the court that he was "scared for his life'' by Mr. Trott, found a machete to defend himself.

He returned outside and came almost face to face with his victim who he hit in the head causing a wound that needed between 20 and 30 stitches and which fractured the skull.

Before sentencing yesterday Wayne told the court: "In this case I feel I was the victim where I was being beaten, threatened and attacked by an armed man.

"The jury felt it was unlawful wounding. I felt it was self-defence. I had to protect my own life.'' Jo-Dina Pearman appeared for the Crown.