High Court judge, Geoffrey Henderson has sentenced a 35-year-old man to 15 years in prison after he shot a man over a TT$10 (One TT dollar = US$0.16 cents) debt.
But Jason Braithwaithe will spend seven years in jail as the sentences on the gun-related charges will run concurrently.
Justice Henderson said that firearm offences had become a cancer in the society telling Braithwaithe that his act was “unacceptable in a civilised society. That cannot work”.
The court heard that on October 17, this year Braithwaite approached 36-year-old Leslie Williams, to repay a 10-dollar debt.
Williams told the court that as he walked away, Braithwaithe pulled out a gun and fired at him, shooting him in both feet.
Braithwaithe was found guilty on November 7 for shooting with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of a gun and ammunition.
Justice Henderson said, in considering the sentence, he had to remember the serious injuries Williams had sustained, the prevalence of such crimes in society and Braithwaithe’s previous conviction.
He also said that he had to consider the principles of rehabilitation, deterring the accused from wanting to commit such an offence again, and also deterring others,
Henderson said that Braithwaithe could have faced a murder charge had he shot Williams elsewhere and that from the evidence, the shooting appeared to be an unprovoked attack.
“There are many people who come from difficult childhoods who have gone on to become great men,” the judge said, dismissing a plea from Braithwaite’s attorney Subhas Panday.
The judge told Braithwaithe that he had “a lot of time to reflect” and to be an example to others when he is released.
Source-Jamaica Observer
