15-year sentence for manslayer

The jail term came after the prosecution and defence had agreed that 15 years should be the starting point for his manslaughter sentence.

Griffith, of Pounders Gap, Westbury Road, St Michael, had pleaded guilty to unlawfully killing British national Steven Weare on August 23, 2017. He was originally arraigned with murdering Weare but had denied that count.

He also admitted unlawfully disposing of Weare’s body, sometime between August 23 and September 1, 2017.

He was represented by attorney Safiya Moore, while Principal State Counsel Romario Straker appeared for the prosecution.

Justice Randall Worrell noted that both counsel had agreed on the starting point.

“Implied in that is that both counsel believe the matter could only be dealt with by way of a custodial sentence,” he said, adding that the threshold for a custodial sentence had been crossed and the offence merited jail time.

He said one of Griffith’s co-accused, Kristopher Clarke, had pleaded guilty and was sentenced by the court for his part in Weare’s death.

“It is common knowledge that Kristopher Clarke said he was the person who placed the bag on Weare’s head. It is quite clear the actions of Clarke were really the actions of the prime mover as far as this is concerned,” the judge said. “Yes, you were involved but your counsel said your participation was limited.”

Justice Worrell said he determined that 15 years was an appropriate starting point, as he referred to Griffith’s previous convictions, the fact he had been deemed as posing a high risk of re-offending and his behaviour in prison.

He considered Griffith’s guilty plea, that he had shown remorse and that he had been “extremely cooperative”. He added

that as the mitigating and aggravating features balanced each other out, there would be no change to the starting point.

He then deducted one-third for the guilty plea, as well as the 2 152 days Griffith spent on remand.

The judge deducted 180 days for the delay in matter and ordered Griffith to serve the remaining 1 318 days in prison.

In relation to the unlawful disposal of Weare’s body, Justice Worrell said he determined that six years was the appropriate starting point. He then deducted one-third for the guilty plea and 180 days for delay.

He told Griffith the 1 280 days left to serve would be subsumed by the greater sentence of manslaughter.

The court had heard that Weare, a 49-yearold Newcastle, St John resident and a garage proprietor in the United Kingdom who imported and sold luxury vehicles here, was reported missing on August 23, 2017.

Police investigations led them to Griffith.

When interviewed, he told them: “I ain’t kill that man but come and let me take you where I dump the body.”

He directed them to Hillview, The Mount, St George, on September 1, and pointed to a grey tarpaulin from which a pungent odour emanated. There were also maggots and flies on the tarpaulin.

“That is the white man body,” Griffith told police.

He later dictated a statement outlining his role in Weare’s death. (HLE)