Man Seeks Leniency After Cutlass Attack on Former Co-Worker

A 34-year-old man facing sentencing for seriously wounding a former co-worker with a cutlass broke down in court as his attorney asked the High Court to consider his remorse, clean criminal record and responsibilities as a father.

Emilio Hodge pleaded guilty on March 24, 2026, to wounding with intent arising from a November 2022 confrontation at the Powells Recycling Plant, where he had worked with the complainant for about four years.

The court heard that tensions between the two men had been building for weeks before the incident. According to the prosecution, Hodge accused the complainant of “calling up his name on the road” in October 2022 and threatened to shoot him.

The situation escalated on November 24, 2022, after the men exchanged words at work.

Prosecutors said Hodge ran outside before returning with a bottle and a stone, which he threw at the complainant, striking him in the knee.

The complainant then picked up a plastic chair and approached Hodge. Hodge subsequently produced a cutlass and attacked him, leaving the man with several serious injuries that required medical treatment.

During mitigation before Justice Ann-Marie Smith, Hodge’s attorney, Lawrence Daniels, urged the court to show his client leniency.

Daniels pointed to a probation report which indicated that Hodge had been solely responsible for caring for his two children. He also noted that Hodge had no previous convictions and did not attempt to evade police following the incident.

The attorney described the offence as a lapse in judgment and said Hodge deeply regretted what had happened.

Daniels told the court that his client believed he had been provoked and had attempted to leave the situation before being followed by the complainant. He said Hodge now wished he had dealt with the confrontation differently.

Hodge became visibly emotional during the submissions and was seen wiping tears from his eyes.

The prosecution, however, highlighted the timing of Hodge’s guilty plea. He pleaded guilty on the day his trial was scheduled to begin, with witnesses already present at court.

As a result, prosecutors recommended that Hodge receive a one-fifth reduction in sentence rather than the customary one-third discount generally associated with an early guilty plea.

The court also heard a request from the complainant for $30,000 in compensation, which the prosecution considered appropriate.

Hodge is expected back before the court on Tuesday with his payslips. The documents will assist Justice Smith in determining his ability to pay the requested compensation.

This story was adapted from original reporting by Latrishka Thomas of the Antigua Observer by NewsCo.