Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jul 05, 2014 News
A 60-month prison term was yesterday imposed on a 28-year-old security guard who stabbed an acquaintance who had
intervened when he allegedly bullied a disabled individual. The sentence was imposed at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Jermaine McRae, of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was found guilty before Magistrate Judy Latchman yesterday.
McRae was first indicted for felonious wounding for unlawfully and maliciously wounded Troy Carrington with intent to maim, harm, disable, disfigure or cause him actual bodily harm on November 3, last year. This occurred at West Ruimveldt.
When the charge was initially read to him, McRae pleaded not guilty.
At the conclusion of the trial yesterday, Magistrate Latchman informed the Prosecution which was spearheaded by Inspector Joel Ricknauth that it had managed to prove its case against the accused.
Before delivering the sentence, the Magistrate said that there is a need for the court to act as a deterrent and to send a message to others who would contemplate committing such offences.
It was around 16:00 hours on November 3, last, that “Carrington received a jook from a knife held by the accused.”
McRae, she said, was spoken to about “tugging” at a disabled person who was in the yard.
“The victim was stabbed to his left side. He fainted and later regained consciousness at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.” It was noted that the victim did not attack his assaiant.
Magistrate Latchman stated that when McRae was charged and cautioned by a police rank he said “I had to defend myself” and refused to give a written statement.
Under caution, with another rank, he reportedly admitted “Yes officer I juk he.”
The court inspected the medical report prepared in favour of Carrington. It reflected a serious stab wound and noted that the doctor had opined that the injuries were life threatening.
The Magistrate said that the court had attached weight to the medical report and will also act upon the evidence of Ms. Peters who stated that the victim had received no further injuries whilst being transported to the hospital.
The Magistrate noted that McRae “didn’t use the first opportunity to say that he was defending himself and that he was attacked by the victim.”
She opined that had that been the case he would’ve said that since November 3, 2013.
Magistrate Latchman indicated the court had considered his claim but had not believed it and gave credence to the victim’s testimony when he stated that he did not attack McRae.
She revealed that she had considered whether McRae had intented to harm Carrington and considered all the evidence that he pulled a knife and stabbed the victim.
“Having considered all the evidence before the court, you are found guilty as charged.”
During mitigation, McRae said that he had no previous charges or convictions. He told the court that he was married twice and had three children (14, 9 and 3-year-old).
McRae asked to seek a lawyer and insisted that there was no problem between him and Carrington.
As she handed down her ruling, Magistrate Latchman stated that she had considered all the mitigating factors in his favour and the time he had spent as a remanded prisoner.
The court she said had mulled over the fact that a knife was used by the defendant while the victim was unarmed.
“I have considered, too, that there is a need to prevent others from contemplating committing this offence as well as you yourself.”
“The court rules that aggravating factors greatly outweighed the mitigating factors. You are hereby sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment.”
McRae, upon receiving his sentence, gave the court oral notice of his intentions to appeal the sentence.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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