was sent to prison for five years on Friday.

Micah Straw, of Palmetto Road, Devonshire, pleaded guilty at an earlier court appearance to unlawfully causing grievous bodily harm to Andre Rawlins, of Devonshire, with intent and possessing a crowbar, an offensive weapon.

Before the Chief Justice passed sentence, Straw said: "I am extremely remorseful for my actions at the time of this offence. Unfortunately I was caught up into something that was bigger than my 19 years at the time of this incident.

"In no way am I trying to justify what I have done. I realise I am not the true victim in this case.

"I would like to apologise to the true victim in this case and his family for all the pain I have put them through. I hope in time that as the wounds heal they will also be able to find forgiveness for me in their hearts.'' Earlier, Crown counsel Charlene Scott said Rawlins was standing at the junction of Palmetto Road and Rec View Hill at about 2.30 a.m. on August 25, 1996.

Rawlins was speaking to two men who were seated on a nearby wall. Straw approached the men from the east and Rawlins greeted him.

After the two men exchanged a greeting, Straw told Rawlins to leave him alone or else he would punch him.

Rawlins retorted that he "could say what he liked''. Straw then punched Rawlins in the face with his closed fist and Rawlins fell to the ground.

As Rawlins lay motionless on the ground Straw moved over and stepped on his face.

He picked up a crowbar and struck Rawlins in his face and followed this action up with kicks and stomps.

The two men with whom Rawlins was first speaking tried to intervene but were unsuccessful.

Rawlins was taken to hospital in an unconscious state and taken from the emergency department to the intensive care unit where he was placed on a ventilator.

He stayed in hospital for just under three weeks. Rawlins suffered a fractured skull. Both sides of his jaw and his cheekbones were also broken and he had cuts about his face.

Ms Scott said Straw's attack on Rawlins was unprovoked and he continued to assault the victim as he lay on the ground.

"This was a very serious offence,'' she said. "Yes, he has pleaded guilty and saved the public time and money.'' But she said the unprovoked nature of the attack was an aggravating feature and she argued that an appropriate sentence would be between three and five years.

Defence lawyer Mark Pettingill said that his client did not take issue with the Crown's version of events and added that Straw was now deeply remorseful for what he had done.

Chief Justice Austin Ward sent Straw to prison for five years for the grievous bodily harm with intent offence and one year for possessing the offensive weapon. The sentences are to run concurrently.