Driver guilty of manslaughter

Twenty-two year-old Kamara George of Lowmans Hill pleaded guilty to manslaughter when he appeared before the High Court on Monday charged with causing the death of Anastasius Lewis by reckless driving.
Lewis, a 25-year-old Ward Attendant from Battery Hill, was struck by George’s motorcar on Back Street (Grenville Street) as he crossed towards his father’s car on September 1, 2003 {{more}}
Lewis’ body was hurled through the air and a foot was completely severed on impact. He died around 2.00 a.m. the following morning.
George’s lawyer, Nicole Sylvester, in presenting mitigating factors, said that her client pleaded guilty and did not waste the court’s time. She further offered that he was a young man with an unblemished record and was remorseful, according to a report from Marion House where he attended counselling.
Justice Frederick Bruce-Lyle said that no matter what was done, the deceased could not be replaced and his family would have to live with the loss of a loved one.
On the question of sentencing, he said he did not think that in the circumstances George deserved a custodial sentence.
“I do not think a custodial sentence would be appropriate and it is not that the court is trivializing the effect of the accident. The court is of the view that he deserves lenience, and sending him to prison will not serve any useful purpose,” he said.
Sylvester suggested that as part of his penalty, her client could be placed on curfew.
George was fined $8,000 to be paid by September 30, this year. He was suspended from driving for seven years and placed on 7.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. curfew for five years. He has also been ordered to continue attending counselling at Marion House and psychiatric evaluation by Dr. M K Debnath for one year, at the end of which reports are to be forwarded to the court.
George was warned that should he breach any of the court orders, he would be imprisoned for five years.