By Clestine Juan

FORMER driver attached to Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Clyde Barker was sentenced to three years imprisonment by City Magistrate Fabayo Azore for causing the death of 13-year-old Friendship Secondary School student, Ezekiel Murray.Barker of Lot 244 Second Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara was found guilty of the offence, which stated that on April 10, 2015 at Friendship, East Bank Demerara public road, he drove motor lorry GJJ 278 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Murray. The Magistrate also suspended Barker’s licence for three years.

Barker made his first court appearance before former Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on April 14, 2015 and was granted $250,000 bail for the offence. The matter was prosecuted by Police Prosecutor Christopher Morris.

In her ruling, Magistrate Azore said she did not believe Barker’s side of the story. Barker, in his defence, had told the court that Murray ran from behind a truck and collided with his vehicle.

Magistrate Azore pointed out that Barker was speeding at the time, since he ended up 100 feet away from the point of impact. The court heard that on April 10, 2015 at around 18:00hrs, Murray was about to cross the Friendship public road when he was struck down by the motor lorry. He was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he succumbed to his injuries.