BLACK RIVER, St Elizabeth – Lebert Beckford, 57, a restaurant and bar operator of Crawford, St Elizabeth was found guilty of three major offences and sentenced to 18 years at hard labour when he appeared at a special sitting of the parish’s Gun Court on Tuesday.

The court was told that in November 2002 the complainant, who was employed to Beckford, went to her boss’ home to ask for dishwashing liquid for the restaurant.

While there, Beckford brandished a gun, sexually assaulted her and threatened to kill her if she made a report, the court was told.

She reported the matter to the Black River police, Beckford was arrested and charged with illegal possession of firearm, rape and assault at common law. When he appeared in court on Tuesday he was found guilty of all three charges.

For illegal possession he was sentenced to nine years, for rape he was given seven years and for assault he was sentenced to two years. All three sentences are to run concurrently.

Meanwhile Omar Neil, 25, of Kendal Road in Mandeville, was sentenced to six months or $350,000, when he appeared in the Black River Resident Magistrate’s Court on a wounding charge.

Allegations are that two years ago, Neil got into a fight with Michael Fray from New Town in Black River. Neil reportedly used a pair of scissors to stab Fray seven times in the back before fleeing the area. On April 4, 2002 Neil was held by the police as he attempted to board a plane at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.

When he appeared in court on Tuesday, he was found guilty and sentenced by RM Marlene Malahoo. Neil was given two weeks to pay the fine or face the prison term.