Five youth were sentenced to imprisonment and detention ranging from one year to six-and-half years, after the Winchester Crown Court convicted them in the death of Agonda sailor Gregory Fernandes in a racially provoked attack at Fawley-Southampton (UK) in 2007.
Three accused – Chay Dale Fields, Stephen Pritchard and Daniel Rogers – had denied murder, but admitted to manslaughter in the death of Gregory and grievous harm against his shipmate Vinod Pitchinaviram from Kerala.
“This has been one of Hampshire Constabulary’s most difficult investigations, compounded by many legal, diplomatic and logistical obstacles,” stated Detective Phill Crossland, Case officer of the Major Crime Investigation Team at the Hampshire Constabulary, in an email to Fr Diogo Fernandes, uncle of late Gregory
It may be recalled that Gregory Fernandes (32) died after he was brutally attacked by a group of about 20 teenagers on October 20, 2007, while their ship was anchored at Fawley port.
Gregory was badly beaten before he was helped by a man to reach the Fawley port gate, where he collapsed and died.
Chay Dale Fields (16), Stephen Pritchard (18) and Daniel Rogers (18) were sentenced to six-and half years imprisonment on charges of manslaughter.
Fields was also convicted of causing grievous bodily harm against Vinod. “There was no separate penalty but penalty for manslaughter has been increased to take account of this offence,” stated Detective Crossland.
Pritchard was also sentenced to a two-and-half years concurrent imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm against Vinod.
Rogers was given a 12-month concurrent sentence for violent disorder and a two-and-half years concurrent imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm against Vinod.
A 15-year-old unidentified accused was sentenced to 18 months detention and training order (imprisonment) for causing grievous bodily harm against Vinod.
Another 15-year-old unidentified accused was sentenced to 18 months supervision order (being supervised for 24 hours per week and a curfew between 7 am – 7 pm and attending a centre for training) for causing grievous bodily harm against Vinod.
Detective Crossland acknowledged the efforts and support of the US-based Fr Fernandes to the Hampshire police in the investigations.
When contacted, Fr Fernandes expressed satisfaction that the killers of his nephew were brought to justice.
“Knowing the age of the killers, I did not expect they would get more years in jail. Only satisfaction we have is that they are known killers of our beloved Gregory,” said Fr Fernandes.
“Our wounds are getting bigger and bigger as we think of the loving personality of Gregory with his kind deeds all around us. Humanly speaking, we are disappointed but with divine grace, we hope that the killers of Gregory become civilized human beings and do not attack again people for the color of their skin.”
Source: www.heraldo.in
