Leroy La Fleur who pleaded guilty to felonious wounding committed on Suraj Azeez on September 11, 2019, when he appeared at the High Court in Berbice last week, was sentenced to six years and seven months in prison yesterday.
In handing down the sentence Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall took into consideration that the offence was a serious one. The Judge also considered that a weapon was used to inflict the injuries on the victim and that the attack was unprovoked, premeditated and the injuries sustained were serious though not life threatening.
Attorney at law, Surihya Sabsook, who represented the accused at the plea hearing last week pleaded for leniency and mercy to be shown to her client. La Fleur also begged the court for leniency, expressing how sorry he was about the act. La Fleur told the court, “I very sorry man. I asking you for a little mercy please”.
However, Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy during the plea hearing told the court that Azeez and the accused were known to each other. On the day in question the two got into a fight and the accused started to fire several chops. Azeez sustained lacerations on his forearm, left leg and right arm. The prosecutor then noted that the injuries can cause disability. She told the court that the accused needs to take control of his anger and the state is asking that the sentence reflects same.
Justice Morris-Ramlall started La Fleur’s sentence at 12 years, after which 4 years were deducted on account of the guilty plea and 1 year, five months for time spent on remand.
“In all the circumstances the offender is sentenced to a term of six years, seven months imprisonment”, the Judge said.
