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Jamaica House throat-slasher sentencing September 6

Paul Henry

Tuesday, August 14, 2012



THE man accused of slashing a policeman's throat after being denied access to Jamaica House to see then Prime Minister Bruce Golding is scheduled to be sentenced on September 6.

The date was set when Andre Pratt appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court Thursday. A probation report was ordered by the court for sentencing.

On December 3, 2009, Pratt went to the entrance of Jamaica House and demanded to see the prime minister. However, he was prevented from entering the premises by a police officer manning the gate.

Pratt, a former cash book officer at the Inland Revenue Department, pulled a knife, and, during a struggle with the officer, used the weapon to cut the policeman's throat.

The policeman was taken to Andrew's Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The 22-year-old Pratt has since pleaded guilty and is being treated for psychological problems, the court was told.

Last Thursday, his attorney, Valerie Neita-Robertson, told the court that the father of two is now trying to put his life back together and is doing well on medication.

According to her, Pratt did not go to Jamaica House with any ill intention, but wanted to report what he said was a case of fraud among the senior ranks at his workplace.

Pratt's bail was extended to allow him to return to court for sentencing in September.



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