A 21-year-old St Ann man was sent to prison after pleading guilty to wounding and gun charges in the St Ann Circuit Court.
Twenty-one-year-old Javaun Brown of Ocho Rios in St Ann, was sentenced for up to ten years on one of three serious charges although he had no previous conviction and his lawyer begged for mercy, citing his rough background.
He was sentenced in the St Ann Circuit Court by Justice Glen Brown on Thursday, June 8. He had been charged with an indictment containing three counts, after it was alleged that he shot Andrew Douglas with an illegal firearm in Ocho Rios.
Brown was charged with illegal possession of ammunition, illegal possession of firearm and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Brown pleaded guilty to all these charges on Thursday, June 1, in the said court.
On Thursday, June 8, during the sentencing Brown appeared remorseful. His attorney, Ernest Smith, had no objections to the social enquiry report which was presented to him.
It was noted in Brown’s antecedent report that he dropped out of high school in grade 10, after his involvement in a fight. It was said that he did not go back as he was fearful of becoming a victim.
Brown was described as “hardworking” and as a person who “gets along well with others”. According to the report, the incident came as a shock to persons in Brown’s community.
Brown has no previous convictions.
Mr Smith presented to the court, some documents proving that Brown had lawfully acted on matters arising between him and Douglas. Mr Smith says he had on file “six JCF statements showing Brown’s reports of Douglas since 2014.”
Mr Smith said the accused has been a victim of various assaults and that he had even gone to the extent of trying to resolve the matter lawfully. He also added that records show that none of the numerous reports had been acted on and on the day of the incident Brown had gone to a shop where he was pounced upon by Douglas with a piece of 2×4 board. That was when the incident occurred.
WON’T WALK AGAIN
In his plea for a lesser sentence for his client, Mr Smith also mentioned that from the “very first time” Brown gave a caution statement “confessing to his wrong even before he settled his representation”.
“A man can take so much and no more,” Smith said.
Mr Justice Brown in sentencing Brown said “these crimes are too prevalent… if you were provoked or assaulted; your reaction was too excessive”.
Justice Brown sentenced Brown on the basis that he pleaded guilty and also that he had no previous convictions. Brown was sentenced to seven years for illegal possession of firearm, three years for illegal possession of ammunition, and 10 years for causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Prior to Thursday’s appearance, the prosecution had said that they were unable to confirm claims of Douglas being crippled, following the incident. However, on Thursday Mr Justice Brown said he had an understanding that Douglas won’t be able to walk again.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Reports are that on Saturday April 15, the two men, Brown and Douglas had a dispute in Carib Heights, Ocho Rios, St Ann.
Information from the investigating officer is that a piece of wood was used to hit Brown in the head during the altercation.
It was further stated that Brown then left the scene and returned with a firearm. Reports are that shots were fired and Douglas was shot from behind.
The police were contacted and an illegal firearm was seized. Brown was taken into custody while attempting to escape.
Douglas was brought to the St Ann’s Bay Hospital and later transferred to the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) for treatment.
Allegations are that Brown and Douglas had a long-standing dispute. According to junior attorney, Yannica Gabbidon, who previously appeared on behalf of Mr Smith while the matter was in the Parish Court, Brown has reported the matter to the police before.
It was also said that Brown also requested a restraining order but it was never served on Douglas
