Terry Joseph, who is one of a gang accused of a series of pirate attacks, was yesterday handed a three-year jail term for escaping from police custody.
Joseph, 29, of Lot 6 Farm Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara, pleaded guilty when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on a charge of escaping lawful custody.
The former seaman, who is facing 15 charges related to acts of piracy, was held after initially eluding capture. He was caught by police officers after a wanted bulletin was issued for his arrest and charges were laid against him in September.
On October 6, police said, Joseph escaped from lawful custody after being a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital under guard by prison officers. He was later spotted by ranks and shot in the leg during his arrest later being reprehended.
In an appeal to the court for leniency, Joseph said, “I am a father of two and I know the consequences for my action. Please do something for me.”
The magistrate, in handing down the sentence, took into consideration Joseph’s guilty plea and his saving the court’s time by avoiding a trial.
The magistrate also ordered that Joseph receive medical attention for a visible swollen jaw and the wound to his leg.
