A 20-year-old man was hospitalised with critical injuries after being attacked by a group of men in Pine Settlement on Thursday night.

Police reported that the victim was approached by seven men around 9:30 p.m. The group reportedly sought repayment of $1,000 related to a jointly sold refrigerator transaction with a man from Five Rivers, Arouca.

According to investigators, the victim told the men he would settle the debt by the weekend. The group then allegedly assaulted him, inflicting multiple chop wounds to his head and glute area. The victim fled and was assisted by a passerby, who transported him to the Sangre Grande Hospital.