A SAN Francique man will serve another three years and six months in prison for stabbing his elder brother in the neck in 2018.

Justice Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds sentenced Bryan Harripersad on July 30.

He was before the court on an indictment for the murder of his brother Ricky at the family’s home on January 30, 2018.

In July, a plea-deal agreement with the Director of Public Prosecutions was finalised and Harripersad was allowed to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter on the basis of provocation when he appeared before the judge on July 23.

He received full credit for the time spent in prison, a one-third discount for his guilty plea and downward adjustments to his sentence, leaving him with three years, six months and day to serve.

“I do not think it is appropriate to release you just yet. You stabbed a brother in the neck. He is dead,” Ramsumair-Hinds told him.

Ricky was also stabbed in the back.

She also said her sentence had to send a signal to society that disputes, including family scenarios with members who are considered downright pests, cannot be resolved by resorting to violence.

Ramsumair-Hinds also advised him to use the remainder of his time in prison to reflect on his use of alcohol, since: “All it does is cause you trouble.”

According to the facts in the case, both brothers were drunk and qaurrelled. Ricky threw a bottle at a television and Bryan went to sharpen a chopper. Things calmed down, but later that night, Ricky accused his brother of having sex with his wife and was stabbed. Bryan told police he only “chook” his brother once.

Ramsumair-Hinds said the aggravating feature of the case was Bryan’s actions before the incident. She said while there was provocation, he, too, was belligerent.

In a victim impact statement, another brother admitted Ricky gave trouble, would drink and curse their mother. He described his dead brother as “real miserable.”

He also said while Ricky never supported the family, “he did not have to die so.”

That brother said Bryan was supportive and he forgave him.

Bryan Harripersad was represented by Khadija Sinanan of the Public Defenders’ Department. Charmaine Samuel and Guiliana Guy represented the State.

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