A man who attacked a pump attendant with a sword was yesterday ordered to perform community service and pay $250 in compensation to his victim.
Michael Hanna, 36, of Redland Acres, pleaded guilty to charges of assault with a deadly weapon and causing harm at his arraignment before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt.
According to the prosecution, Hanna got into an argument with Kerby Jeune, a pump attendant at the Esso on the Run Service Station at the juncture of East Bay and Fowler Streets shortly before 1 a.m. on November 22. During the argument, Hanna got a sword from his vehicle and sliced Jeune on his left forearm, causing a minor injury.
Officers from the Central Police Station arrested Hanna on the scene.
Hanna, who has no prior convictions, asked the court for leniency. He said that he needed drug counseling, and he claimed that the attack was fueled by him drinking alcohol and talking Molly pills.
Hanna alleged that the argument was over his smoking at the pump.
The chief magistrate chided Hanna for his actions; however, she decided to give him a chance to redeem himself.
She asked, “How could you go to the gas station for gas and end up before the court? You want to tarnish your record for this?”
Hanna has been ordered to complete community service at the Good Samaritan’s Senior Citizen’s Home by January 9, 2023.
He will return to court on November 30 to pay Jeune $250 in compensation for his injury in the face of the court.
The magistrate, however, did not order Hanna to undergo drug counseling because she said he was old enough to stop his addiction on his own.
