Domestic violence case ends with cutlass attack on intervener
January 15 2025
A Georgetown man was sentenced to an aggregate eight months’ imprisonment after admitting to assaulting his partner during a domestic dispute and later attacking a passerby with a cutlass when the man attempted to intervene.
Dwayne Bishop appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He pleaded guilty to assaulting his partner, Shello Zamette, breach of the peace, and assault causing actual bodily harm to Deon Cappell.
Police Prosecutors told the court that Bishop and Zamette have been in a relationship for about four years and have one child together.
On the night of December 21, 2025, Zamette attended a staff party. Sometime around 23:00h, Bishop arrived to collect her, but an argument reportedly broke out after she refused to leave with him.
The disagreement escalated into violence, with Bishop slapping Zamette about her face as she resisted and repeatedly told him she did not want to go with him.
Cappell, who was driving past at the time, observed the incident and stopped his vehicle. He questioned Bishop about his actions and urged him to stop assaulting the woman.
Despite the intervention, Bishop allegedly persisted.
In testimony before the court, Cappell said Zamette began pleading with him and others nearby, insisting that she did not want to leave with Bishop. He said he approached in an effort to prevent Bishop from forcing her into a vehicle.
According to Cappell, Bishop eventually shoved Zamette into his car and drove off. Cappell said he, along with two other motorists, followed the vehicle in an attempt to ensure Zamette’s safety until Bishop stopped.
“I told him to stop. I did not know he had a cutlass,” Cappell told the court.
He said Bishop then removed a cutlass and struck him across the back, causing swelling and injury.
Cappell explained that his sole intention was to protect Zamette from further harm. After being injured, he left the area and encountered police ranks while heading to the station.
The incident was reported, and Bishop was later arrested.
During the hearing, Zamette addressed the court and said the incident marked the first time Bishop had physically assaulted her.
She stated that he slapped her twice but that she did not sustain injuries requiring medical attention. Although a medical examination was obtained, she said it was not ultimately used.
Magistrate McGusty questioned Zamette extensively, stressing the importance of honesty in domestic violence cases. Zamette maintained that she was truthful and said the situation escalated unexpectedly.
“It wasn’t supposed to get so far,” she told the court.
In handing down the sentence, Magistrate McGusty emphasised that domestic violence remains a serious concern and that the court must impose penalties that discourage such behaviour.
She also noted that Cappell’s actions were motivated by a desire to stop wrongdoing.
Addressing Bishop, the magistrate urged him to reflect on his conduct while incarcerated and to take steps toward meaningful change, noting that Cappell intervened only to prevent further harm.
Bishop was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment for the assault and breach of the peace involving Zamette. He was also sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for assault causing actual bodily harm after striking Cappell with a cutlass.
As Bishop was led from the courtroom, Zamette appeared visibly upset, shaking her head as the sentence was pronounced.
Domestic Dispute Ends in Jail After Man Attacks Partner and Cutlass-Wounds Intervener
A Georgetown man was sentenced to an aggregate eight months’ imprisonment after admitting to assaulting his partner during a domestic dispute and later attacking a passerby with a cutlass when the man attempted to intervene.
Dwayne Bishop appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He pleaded guilty to assaulting his partner, Shello Zamette, breach of the peace, and assault causing actual bodily harm to Deon Cappell.
Police Prosecutors told the court that Bishop and Zamette have been in a relationship for about four years and have one child together.
On the night of December 21, 2025, Zamette attended a staff party. Sometime around 23:00h, Bishop arrived to collect her, but an argument reportedly broke out after she refused to leave with him.
The disagreement escalated into violence, with Bishop slapping Zamette about her face as she resisted and repeatedly told him she did not want to go with him.
Cappell, who was driving past at the time, observed the incident and stopped his vehicle. He questioned Bishop about his actions and urged him to stop assaulting the woman.
Despite the intervention, Bishop allegedly persisted.
In testimony before the court, Cappell said Zamette began pleading with him and others nearby, insisting that she did not want to leave with Bishop. He said he approached in an effort to prevent Bishop from forcing her into a vehicle.
According to Cappell, Bishop eventually shoved Zamette into his car and drove off. Cappell said he, along with two other motorists, followed the vehicle in an attempt to ensure Zamette’s safety until Bishop stopped.
“I told him to stop. I did not know he had a cutlass,” Cappell told the court.
He said Bishop then removed a cutlass and struck him across the back, causing swelling and injury.
Cappell explained that his sole intention was to protect Zamette from further harm. After being injured, he left the area and encountered police ranks while heading to the station.
The incident was reported, and Bishop was later arrested.
During the hearing, Zamette addressed the court and said the incident marked the first time Bishop had physically assaulted her.
She stated that he slapped her twice but that she did not sustain injuries requiring medical attention. Although a medical examination was obtained, she said it was not ultimately used.
Magistrate McGusty questioned Zamette extensively, stressing the importance of honesty in domestic violence cases. Zamette maintained that she was truthful and said the situation escalated unexpectedly.
“It wasn’t supposed to get so far,” she told the court.
In handing down the sentence, Magistrate McGusty emphasised that domestic violence remains a serious concern and that the court must impose penalties that discourage such behaviour.
She also noted that Cappell’s actions were motivated by a desire to stop wrongdoing.
Addressing Bishop, the magistrate urged him to reflect on his conduct while incarcerated and to take steps toward meaningful change, noting that Cappell intervened only to prevent further harm.
Bishop was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment for the assault and breach of the peace involving Zamette. He was also sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for assault causing actual bodily harm after striking Cappell with a cutlass.
As Bishop was led from the courtroom, Zamette appeared visibly upset, shaking her head as the sentence was pronounced.
