The Sandys barber who beat a man so severely that he is now critically ill in hospital will be sentenced in the Supreme Court shortly.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis said Suja Amon Muhammad's beating of Charles Christopher was "clearly one of the most grievous and serious assault cases that has come before me''.

He ordered Muhammad, 24, of Scott's Hill Road, to remain remanded into custody for sentencing by the upper court.

Mr. Francis said he felt his sentencing powers of up to one year were not sufficient "to show how serious this is''.

Muhammad pleaded guilty to beating Mr. Christopher late on December 13 outside the Il Palio Restaurant in Somerset Village.

He told Police the fight broke out after he had asked Mr. Christopher to buy him some marijuana for $50 and expected money back as change and for a tip.

Muhammad caught up with Mr. Christopher, 38, and kicked and beat him so forcefully he rolled several feet while unconscious.

Senior Crown counsel Brian Calhoun told Mr. Francis: "We are talking about a victim who has substantial brain damage.'' He added: "The victim apparently spent the money on crack cocaine and the accused decided, in his own words, to teach him a lesson.

"Muhammad punched Mr. Christopher some seven times in the face which put him unconscious state. He kicked him by his own estimation three times in abdomen and four times in face. Mr. Christopher rolled about four feet from the blows.

That was unconscionable.'' Mr. Christopher's injuries include numerous fractures of the bones of the jaw, cheek, nose, and the eye sockets.

And the investigating officer, Detective Constable Jason Smith said he had seen Mr. Christopher lying in a fetal position in King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and got "absolutely no response from him''.