Prescott first to be sentenced

Farax Prescott, a 29 year-old labourer of Vermont, has made his mark at the September criminal assizes, being the first person to be sentenced to prison.{{more}}

Justice Frederick Bruce-Lyle sentenced Prescott to five years imprisonment on Tuesday at the High Court, after he pleaded guilty to robbery.

Prescott had been jointly charged with Denver Oliver, who pleaded not guilty to the charge on Monday at the arraignment stage.

The court heard that on March 4th, 2004, at about 7.30 p.m., James Williams of Calder was walking along Lower Middle Street when Prescott jumped on him and held onto his pocket. A wrestle then took place between both men, during which Prescott pulled a cutlass and fired a chop at Williams, which caught him on his wrist.

Moments later police passed by the area and the defendants fled the scene. They were apprehended later.

Prescott has over 20 previous convictions and was sentenced to five years at the last assizes for other offences.