Ricardo Cow George, 21, was sentenced to four years in prison on Tuesday after pleading guilty to a daylight shooting in Castries that left a teenager injured.
George, who has been held at Bordelais Correctional Facility since December 2, 2024, faced charges of firearm and ammunition possession, discharging a firearm in public, and using a firearm with intent to harm.
The charges stemmed from a November 29, 2024, shooting in New Village. According to police and victim statements, 18-year-old Garvin Noel of Bois Patat was struck in the thigh near Chaussee Road while with friends. Noel reported hearing gunshots before taking cover in an abandoned house, where he discovered a bullet wound and blood on his left thigh.
Inspector Mathew of the Castries CID testified that he heard gunshots around 6:30 p.m. near Trinity Church Road and saw George fleeing the scene, removing a pink mask and discarding a firearm into a drain. Police recovered a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol with eight rounds – one in the chamber. George was arrested on the spot.
During interrogation, George admitted to firing the gun, claiming self-defence. “Yes,” he stated, “because they tried to chop me.” In a signed statement, he alleged he had been assaulted earlier, retrieved a gun from a friend, and returned to “burst shots at the group of boys.”
Magistrate Raquel Willie-Trotman acknowledged George’s youth and clean record but stressed the gravity of the offence. “At 21, you could have been facing a murder charge,” she said.
“If the bullet had been slightly higher, you’d be in deeper trouble. You have not analysed how serious this charge is and the impact it could have on your life.”
George, unrepresented in court, expressed remorse: “I’m sorry, Your Honour. I was just trying to defend myself.” He claimed he had been stabbed earlier but failed to report it or seek medical help, saying he was “overwhelmed”.
Prosecutors sought an 11-year sentence for the firearm charge, reduced to eight years due to his guilty plea. Instead, the court imposed four years each for the three main charges, to run concurrently, plus two years’ probation for ammunition possession. Post-release, George must report to probation, attend anger management and drug treatment, and enrol in skills training, or face six months imprisonment.
The victim, Garvin Noel, was treated and released the same day. A medical report confirmed a bullet had entered and exited his thigh.
No compensation was ordered.
Prosecutors asked for 11 years. 11 years for a gun toting bandit to pay for his crime and to protect society from his murderous impulses. The judge said: Nah!
Post-release, George must report to probation, attend anger management and drug treatment, and enrol in skills training, or face six months imprisonment.
Really judge! How often you see these strategies work? In a country decimated by gun violence and illegal gun ownership, this is what you recommend? And we wonder why the police are demoralised? And we wonder why criminals feel so empowered in this place?
4 years for a repeat offender?