FOUR years after fatally stabbing his brother-in-law during a drunken dispute, Jermaine Barclay called ‘Jumbo’ was on Thursday sentenced to serve 15 years in prison for the crime.

Barclay, of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice, was sentenced by Justice Brassington Reynolds who is currently presiding over the current criminal session at the Berbice High Court.

Last month, Barclay was on trial for the capital offence and had denied murdering his brother-in-law, Nkomo LaRose, on December 18, 2018, at Stanleytown.

However, a 12-member jury found him not guilty of murder but confirmed that he was liable for the lesser offence of manslaughter.

During the sentencing hearing on Thursday, Barclay’s probation report was read in court by a social worker.

The official told the court that while carrying out her investigation for the report, she interviewed residents of Stanleytown, who indicated that Barclay was an “arrogant” individual and was also verbally abusive to his wife.

The residents also expressed fear of having Barclay around the community due to some of the “illegal acts” in which he was involved.

Barclay was previously convicted and served a sentence for possession of house-breaking implements and discharging a loaded firearm.

The Probation Officer said that she also conducted an interview with Barclay. She said that the convict maintained his innocence, saying he was “wrongfully accused.”

Justice Brassington, while delivering his sentencing remarks, placed weight on the fact that LaRose lost his life as a result of Barclay’s senseless actions. He also took into consideration that the convict showed no remorse for his actions.

The judge imposed a 15-year sentence and ordered that prison authorities deduct the time he had spent on remand.