A father of three was sentenced to 10 years in jail yesterday after he was found guilty by a jury for attempted murder and wounding with intent at the High Court at Suddie.
Sewnarine Narine, 44-years-old, of New Road, Essequibo, was sentenced by Justice Franklyn Holder, who presided over the case, after his fate was sealed by a jury which handed down a verdict of 11 to 1 in favour of guilty on April 23.
Narine, who was represented by defence counsel Compton Richardson, was accused of chopping Jeetendra Harricharran on April 22, 2010 at Somerset, Essequibo.
In handing down his sentence, Justice Holder told Narine that he has caused serious harm to another human who is a young man at the prime of his life.
He also said that he had given him an opportunity to say how remorseful he was but he had not heard such words from him and added “you are maintaining your innocence even in the face of the jury having found you guilty.”
Justice Holder also told Narine that the offence he was charged with is punishable with a maximum penalty of life in prison together with whipping or flogging but added that he has spared him this penalty because he had taken into consideration that he has a family.
Justice Holder also said that he has taken into consideration that Harricharran is still suffering lasting effects from his injuries, which are likely to affect him for the rest of his life. He then sentenced Narine to 10 years.
Loud screams from Narine’s family erupted in the courtroom after they heard the number of years he will be in prison.
A probation report was also presented on his behalf before he was sentenced. The report stated that Narine was in the habit of threatening people in his community who complained to him about his sheep. A police report also confirmed that reports were made against Narine for such behaviour.
According to the prosecution, which was represented by Judith Gildharie-Mursalin, Narine was on a dam with his bicycle and cutlass in the company of other men, including the victim, when they began to consume alcohol.
An argument then ensued between Narine and Harricharran over Narine’s sheep. Narine then told the men he was going home and left. Instead of going home, he retrieved his cutlass and chopped Harricharran in his head. He then swam across a canal and went into a house where he attempted to hide but he was subsequently arrested and charged.
