Resident Magistrate Sheron Barnes sent a strong message to schoolboys on Tuesday when she jailed 18-year-old Chevaughn Fearon of Lambs River, Westmore-land, for nine months.

Fearon had injured his teacher at the Maud McLeod High School in Darliston, Westmoreland, in June, a few weeks before the close of the school year.

Unlawful wounding

Fearon had pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding when he appeared before the Whithorn Resident Magistrate's Court, Westmoreland on October 27. A social enquiry report was requested before sentence was handed down.

Fearon used a knife to attack electrical technology teacher, Conrad Clarke, when the two had an altercation at the school. Clarke was on his way to the principal's office to report that Fearon had thrown stones at him in his class when he was attacked. Clarke sustained injuries to his left hand, neck, abdomen, lungs, liver and spleen. He was hospitalised for a week. Fearon was then sitting examinations at the time and was a few weeks away from graduating.

Attorney-at-Law Hervin Smart, who represented the schoolboy, made an impassioned plea in mitigation, saying Fearon had no pervious record of errant behaviour. He was a bright youngster who passed two subjects in major exams and was successful for entry into the HEART programme.

Fearon was 18 years old at the time of the incident.

Fearon used a knife to attack electrical technology teacher, Conrad Clarke ... at the school.