The well-placed source told our news centre that Almestica was stabbed during an altercation with another prisoner, but his injuries are not considered life-threatening.

When contacted, the police information unit advised BVI News to redirect our inquires to the prison. Meanwhile, efforts to reach the minister responsible for prisons, Marlon Penn, has been unsuccessful.

Almestica is currently in prison awaiting trial to answer a slew of charges. He escaped custody after the passage of Hurricane Irma in 2017 and was recaptured in December of last year.

He is to answer to one count of escaping lawful custody, 11 counts of keeping an unlicensed firearm, four counts of keeping a prohibited weapon, one count of carrying an unlicensed firearm, eight counts of unlawful possession of ammunition, and four counts of possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply.

Last October, in his absence, Almestica was convicted for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition from another incident.