No bail for St Catherine man accused of stabbing girlfriend 16 times while dreaming

A St Catherine judge has refused bail to a 21-year-old man who is charged with stabbing his then girlfriend 16 times while they were both asleep in bed, with the accused saying he was having a bad dream at the time of the incident.

Gilbert Cooper appeared in court today on a charge of wounding with intent.

The court was informed that the psychiatric evaluation report that was ordered revealed that he was fit to enter a plea.

Cooper’s attorney, Davian Vassell, in applying for bail, argued that his client did not act of his own volition.

"Your Honour, the complainant and my client had an intimate relationship. My client was asleep in his unconscious state. He dreamt of being held down [while] in the bed and he used a pen knife to inflict wounds. It was after he gained consciousness he realised it was her," Vassell argued.

However, the Clerk of Courts, Viviene Fagan, opposed bail on the grounds that there is a likely possibility of a conviction, the nature and gravity of the offence, and that the accused is a flight risk.

Acting Senior Parish Court Judge Janelle Nelson-Gayle, in denying bail, told the accused that, having considered all the circumstances, she was not minded to grant bail.

He was ordered remanded until February 3, 2026, when the matter will again be mentioned.

Allegations are that on November 3, 2025, the woman was in bed when she was stabbed repeatedly by Cooper.

The woman suffered multiple stab wounds and was hospitalised for her injuries.

A report was made to the police and an investigation was launched.

The man was found hiding inside a church in the community.

He was taken into custody and subsequently charged.

- Rasbert Turner

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