Justice Charles Quin handed down a community service sentence of 200 hours to Jarron Noel Conolly for wounding Nathaniel Pearson.

At the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands Conolly pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawfully and maliciously wounding Pearson during an altercation that took place at 28 Poplar Street, Bodden Town, Grand Cayman.

The court heard that Conolly was provoked by Pearson when he spread false rumours that he had had sex with Conolly’s girlfriend. The altercation between the two commenced during which Pearson pulled out a knife on Conolly. In order to defend himself Conolly used a piece of construction rebar to knock the knife out of Pearson’s hand.

Conolly admitted that his next action of chasing after Pearson and kicking him went beyond reasonable self defence.

However, the injuries Pearson suffered were not serious, comprising a laceration of the forehead and a swollen tender wrist.

Pearson did not attend meetings with the Department of Community Rehabilitation (DCR) to prepare a Victim Impact Report.

Apart from one ganga incident Conolly was a man of good character, had a steady job with a good reference from his Employer and the Probation officer’s report said Conolly was genuinely remorseful and took full responsibility for his behavior.

He said, “I think my action was stupid because I know that what Nathaniel was telling about me was not true. I regret the incident ever occurred and I am sorry he got hurt.”

In giving his verdict, Judge Quin, said he had taken notice of all the factors leading up to the injuries sustained by Pearson by Conolly and the Defendant’s remorse and guilty plea.

In addition to the community service the Judge ordered Conolly to attend an anger management course conducted by the DCR and to reimburse Pearson for his proven medical expenses related to the injury sustained in this incident.