A nine-month sentence was yesterday handed down to Revelana Smith after she was found guilty of wounding a fellow prisoner.
The sentence was handed down at the conclusion of the trial of Smith, who was charged with wounding Savita Persaud on April 23rd, at the East La Penitence Police Station.
Trial Magistrate Faith McGusty noted that the evidence was clear from both the accused and the complainant, that they had a dispute at the Berbice Prison and it later escalated when they got to the East La Penitence lock-ups.
She added that it was not disputed that both women had a fight or that Persaud sustained injuries.
The magistrate noted, however, that it was the defendant’s story that Persaud began the attack and injured her.
Smith, however, then heard that as a result of the prosecution’s case and her own testimony, the court found her guilty of the crime.
Asked if she wished to say anything before sentencing, Smith stated that she was sorry and requested that the court be lenient with her.
Police prosecutor Seon Blackman told the court the defendant had several brushes with the law and would have committed the crime while in prison on an attempted murder charge.
Persaud also addressed the court and noted that the accused was not sorry for what she did.
Having heard from all sides, Magistrate McGusty told the defendant that she needed to have better self-control and then went on to sentence her to nine months in prison for the crime.
After sentencing Smith, the court commenced the trial of Persaud, who was charged with assaulting Smith.
Persaud was called upon to lead her defence and opted to give sworn evidence and was then subjected to cross-examination by prosecutor Blackman.
Magistrate McGusty then adjourned her matter until August 2nd, when a ruling is expected to be made in the case.
