Barbara Gayle, Star Writer

A road rage incident last year has ended in businessman and racehorse trainer Leroy Fearon being sentenced yesterday to 15 years' imprisonment.

Fearon, 47, also called 'Trainer' of Cave Hill Estate, Hellshire, St Catherine, had used his licensed firearm to fire shots at a motorist during a motor vehicle accident.

Despite a plea for leniency by defence lawyer Gladstone Wilson that Fearon was the father of 12 children and had never been involved with the law before, Justice Lloyd Hibbert said his hands were tied.

mandatory sentence

The judge said he had no choice but to give Fearon the minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years' imprisonment for shooting with intent. Fearon was sentenced to three year's imprisonment but the sentences are to run concurrently so he will serve 15 years.

Evidence was given at the trial in the Gun Court that on May 8, last year, Fearon was driving near Half-Way Tree Road and Oxford Road, St Andrew, when a motor car collided with his motor car. The driver, who was a security guard, told Fearon that he would repair his motor car and Fearon should repair his own.

The motorist drove off and Fearon caught up with him and fired two shots into the motor car. The bullets struck the trunk of the vehicle.

Fearon, in his defence, had said that a passenger in the other car had pointed a firearm at him and he fired at the vehicle's tyre.