|
A former soldier who was facing a charge of attempted murder in the Berbice High Court has pleaded guilty to the lesser count of causing grievous bodily harm.Former Guyana Defence Force soldier, Private 20084 Cleyon Siaka Douglas, who was to be sentenced last Thursday is now expected to know his fate on June 24.This was after his lawyer, Charrandass Persaud, requested additional time following the submission of a Probation Report which was read in court.Douglas, who was 19 at the time,Cheap Jerseys From China, is now 29. He was on trial before Justice Franklyn Holder and a mixed jury in the Berbice High Court.Douglas who was facing two charges, was accused of causing grievous bodily harm to fellow soldier Wilton Hazel. He was also charged with attempted murder.The incidents occurred on June 25, 2005 at Camp Jaguar,Wholesale Cheap Jerseys, New River, Corentyne.The man was accused of setting the other on fire following an altercation at their Camp Jaguar location at New River, Corentyne, Berbice.Presenting the report was Senior Probation Officer,Adam Joseph Duhe Dolphins Jersey, Ms Egla October. It noted that Douglas is the eldest of four children born to his parents who are of humble standing. He left secondary school at third form and also attended the Sophia Special School.Douglas a father of a one year old was described as one with a quiet disposition and dependable. He does not drink or smoke. He prefers to watch a movie and hardly socializes.The report also indicated that even at school Douglas would hardly defend himself and his other siblings would usually represent him. Douglas joined the GDF at age 18 years.According to the report the victim, Welton Hazel, reported that he was aged 21 when the incident happened. He noted that Douglas joined the force after him,Andrew Desjardins Jersey, but they spent time at the location together. He described the accused as not a sociable person. He said that due to a lot of idle time, taunting each other was a norm apart from watching a few DVD and playing games.He stated that since the incident a lot of time has elapsed and he has moved on with his life. He has since attained the rank of Lance Corporal and is now a divorced father of three and, he has scars to live with.He has grown to forgive Mr. Douglas, and now feels sorry for him. According to Hazel, there was a misunderstanding earlier that day, and it is his desire if given the opportunity to plead for clemency on Douglas behalf.Hazel and others told the Probation Officer that the location was haunted and desolate and the only persons around were just the few of them. They were only four DVD’s that they repeatedly watched and they played the same games repeatedly. Communication was not possible by phone.The report concluded that Douglas was described as a quiet person by all and it seems that the taunting and loneliness of the location caused him to’ flip’, since violence of any form is not of his disposition.He has since expressed remorse for his action.State Prosecutor Attorney-at-Law Natasha Backer questioned the Probation Officer on some aspects of the report.The two men were part of the Guyana Defence Force contingent based at the interior location on the Corentyne River. It was reported that Douglas was being constantly harassed, provoked and molested by some of the other soldiers, including Hazel. He reportedly reported the matter on numerous occasions to his superiors on location, but got no satisfaction.On the day in question the two men had another altercation and Douglas being unable to take the provocation and longer, waited until his colleague was asleep before dousing him with a flammable liquid then setting him alight. He then fled the scene into the bushes and hid himself until the next day.The injured Hazel was airlifted out of the location and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation,Cheap NFL Jerseys, where he was admitted a patient.Douglas subsequently gave himself up and was taken into custody, the matter was investigated and Douglas subsequently charged.A number of items were reportedly destroyed including the signal centre, the Officers quarters,Alex Delvecchio Red Wings Jersey, the Mess Hall, and the fuel bond,Jerseys NFL Wholesale, along with some guns. |
|