Six years jail for businessman who killed boy, 17

Businessman Junior France known as ‘Bora’ was on Friday sentenced to six years imprisonment for the fatal shooting of 17-year-old gold miner, Dane Jerrick, at Puruni Landing, Mazaruni River two years ago.

The sentence was handed down by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Essequibo High Court.

The judge sentenced France to six years imprisonment and ordered that the prison authorities deduct the time spent on remand from his sentence.

The News Room understands that France had also compensated Jerrick’s family.

Back in March, France was on trial for the capital offence of murder, but a jury found him guilty of the lesser count of manslaughter.  He had denied unlawfully killing the teen on May 17, 2020, in the county of Essequibo.

The businessman was represented by attorneys-at-law Nigel Hughes and Ronald Daniels while the State was represented by prosecutor Tiffini Lyken.

According to reports, on the day in question, Jerrick was shot in his lower back allegedly by France, who is a licensed firearm holder.

France reportedly told police that Jerrick was lingering in front of his shop, which is located at Puruni Landing.

As a result, he discharged several rounds in Jerrick’s direction and one of the bullets struck him. France was arrested and his firearm was also lodged.