Justice Albert Redhead sentenced three defendants Thursday before the close of the criminal assizes.
Danny Benjamin, who was found guilty of two counts of wounding with intent last week, was given 10 years for attacking two men with a machete after a bar fight in West End.
During the incident, a friend of Mr. Benjamin’s was struck in the head with the machete, causing a deep laceration and fractured skull.
“You nearly decapitated your friend’s head,” Mr. Redhead said. “You nearly killed the man.”
Jakiel Harrigan was given a seven-year sentence after pleading guilty to handling stolen goods. After last year’s robbery of MoneyGram, one of the gunmen allegedly jumped into a ghut and threw the stolen money into a bush. Mr. Harrigan and another man found that money and spent it, according to prosecutors.
“So where’s the money?” the judge asked.
“It’s finished, sir,” Mr. Harrigan responded.
Mr. Redhead also handed down a 15-year sentence to Julian Christopher, who was found guilty of three counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault. The girl he was found guilty of raping was 13 on the first occasion, prosecutors said.
Mr. Redhead closed the trial to the public and the media.
All told, five cases were completed during the criminal assizes.
“It was a very successful assizes,” Mr. Redhead said.
See the Dec. 20, 2012 edition for full coverage.
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