–Accused sentenced to 40 years, but will only serve 22

MORRIS Fredericks, 24, of the Essequibo Coast was on Wednesday sentenced to 40 years imprisonment for manslaughter before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall in the Georgetown High Court.

However, Justice Morris-Ramlall deducted 13 years for the guilty plea and five years for time served in jail.
This means that Fredericks will only serve 22 years in jail and will be eligible for parole after 15 years.
According to a probation report, Fredericks never met his biological father, and grew up with his mother and stepfather.
He began working at 14 as a chainsaw operator, but soon gravitated to bad company and alcohol.

The State said the accused and the deceased, Alistair Creighton, 33, a miner of Lower Kara Kara, Linden had a heated exchange of words, during which the accused picked up a cutlass and dealt him a fatal wound on November 29, 2011 at Kokerite Landing, Barima River.

Fredericks stood up on Wednesday and told the court that he was very sorry for his actions which led to the death of Creighton on the day in question. He also asked for leniency through his attorney, Maxwell McKay.

The state was represented by Seeta Bishundial, Narissa Leander and Abigail Gibbs.
When he first appeared before Justice Morris-Ramlall, Fredericks had pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.
At the time of the incident, the accused, who hails from Anna Regina, was just 18.

He reportedly murdered Creighton while the two were at the Kokerite Water Front in the North West District.

It is alleged that Fredricks chopped Creighton on the neck, killing him instantly.
Reports are that on the day of the incident, the deceased was with a friend when the teen came up to them and threatened them before moving off. The men did not take the threat seriously and remained where they were.
Shortly thereafter, the suspect reportedly sneaked up on the men and chopped Creighton on the neck, severing the jugular vein. The victim died shortly after.
Reports are that the attacker was beaten, tied up and later handed over to ranks of the Moruca Police Station where he was detained.