‘I was drunk when I killed him’ – 18 years jail for Pike St. man

Bevon Griffith called ‘Spooney’ was on Wednesday sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for the Christmas Day 2017 fatal stabbing of Sophia resident, Celwyn Allen.

Griffith, formerly of Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was sentenced by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Demerara High Court for the offence of manslaughter.

Last month, Griffith was arraigned for the capital offence of murder but opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter; he admitted that on December 25, 2017, at ‘C’ Field, Sophia, he unlawfully killed Allen.

He was represented by attorney Ravindra Mohabir while the State was represented by Lisa Cave.  During his sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Griffith apologised to the victim’s family.

He claimed he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the stabbing.

“I never meant to do it. If I didn’t under the influence of alcohol ah know it would have never happen… ah sorry it occurred,” an unemotional Griffith told the court.

Justice Barlow, before imposing her sentence, considered that a weapon was used against the unarmed victim. She also considered the serious negative effects Griffith’s actions had on the victim’s family.

According to the judge, after listening to Griffith and observing his body language, she is of the view that he is not remorseful for his actions.

In the end, the judge sentenced Griffith to 18 years imprisonment; she also deducted one third from the sentence for his plea and three years, one month for the time spent on remand.

According to reports, on the day in question, Allen was walking through the community with his girlfriend when he was attacked by Griffith, who was armed with a knife.

After attacking Allen and his girlfriend, Griffith fled the scene but was later arrested.

Allen was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital and was pronounced dead; it is alleged that the incident stemmed from an altercation Allen had with a friend of Griffith.