A man who told the court he used a shaving knife to inflict a wound to his friend because he was provoking him was today sentenced to six months after pleading guilty to an assault charge.
“Over a period of time, this young man have been provoking my spirit. The day I was passing and I was shaving my beard so I got upset and cut him with the blade,” Raphael Burnett said when he appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
The 27-year-old pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge which stated that on June 25, 2019, at North Sophia, he assaulted Renee Summerset.
Burnett in his explanation to the court said that Summerset is in the habit of provoking his spirit.
Facts presented by Police Prosecutor Annalisa Brummell stated that both men are known to each other since they have been friends for several years. The Prosecutor added that on the day in question, the victim was at work in North Sophia when the defendant passed and uttered a few words to him. The court heard the victim replied and the defendant got annoyed and went home. The Prosecutor added that Burnett later returned with a shaving knife and cut the victim on his back. The matter was then reported and Burnett was arrested.
The Prosecutor asked the court to take into consideration the fact that the defendant had the opportunity to make a report after the victim uttered words to him but, since he failed to do so, it was clear his intention was to return and hurt Summerset.
Hence, the magistrate sentenced Burnett to six months, citing that he has no control over his emotions and he committed a cowardly act.
