A teen was yesterday sentenced to 12 months in prison after admitting he threatened to chop off a market vendor’s head.
It was stated that Marcellous Gentle, 18, of Red Road E-Dam, Sophia, on January 14th, at the Stabroek Market, made use of threatening language and behaviour to Keshana Nelson. Gentle pleaded guilty to both of the charges.
According to the prosecutor, on the day of the incident, Nelson was at the market selling when she noticed Gentle running towards her with an ice pick in his hand. Nelson ran away and reported the matter to the nearest police mobile outpost.
The prosecutor then told the court that Gentle threatened to chop off the vendor’s head and murder her in the presence of the police. Gentle was subsequently arrested and the ice pick that he was armed with while pursuing the complainant was found in his possession.
When Gentle was given a chance to speak, he said that on the day in the market, which was crowded, he touched and then asked Nelson for an excuse to pass. He related that the woman ran from him and informed the police that he [Gentle] had intentions of injuring her.
Gentle later told the court that he did not threaten Nelson but told her that when he comes out of Camp Street prison for the false report she made against him, he would murder her.
Magistrate Annette Singh sentenced Gentle to six months in prison for each of the charges laid against him, which will be served consecutively.
