Viciously beaten by party-goers
Mr Sukoo was caught by surprise when a 30-year-old man jumped into his property and punched him in the forehead, knocking him off his feet
A family get-together at a neighbour’s house turned into a bloody attack on Mr Rishi Sukoo on Saturday night.
At about 9.30pm, 59-year old Mr Sukoo was at home relaxing and attempting to watch television with his daughter Yateesha and grandson Yasthil. However, the sound of loud music and an engine being revved, accompanied by the smell of tyres burning, made this impossible.
Concerned for her son and father’s health, Yateesha decided to go out and ask the neighbours to please “turn it down a notch” as the music was causing a disturbance and the burning rubber was affecting her son, as he is an asthmatic.
The “party people” happen to be newcomers to the neighbourhood, having moved in less than a week ago. They also happen to be relatives of the Sukoo family.
Yateesha’s request for her neighbours to quieten down was the turning point in the evening and everything turned very nasty.
Mr Sukoo, who was standing outside, was caught by surprise when a 30-year-old man (who was a guest at the neighbour’s home) jumped into his property and punched him in the forehead, knocking him off his feet. Mr Sukoo lost consciousness and says that all he recalls is being carried and thrown into the prayer area made up of bricks in the front yard.
Leaving the elderly man in a pool of blood, his attacker walked away and returned to the party house.
By then, Yateesha had come to her dad’s aid. Her son, Yasthil, had pressed the emergency panic button. Police and Chubb responded to the call and found the elderly man with blood all over his face.
Minutes later, ambulance services arrived and treated Mr Sukoo for his injuries before transporting him to hospital.
The 59-year old sustained a gash to his head and elbow, and injuries to his upper body. He was hospitalised for at least two days before being discharged.
Police are investigating a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (assault GBH).
A suspect was arrested and appeared in the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
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