Womens' Resource Centre executive director Penny Dill has reacted with dismay to the soft sentencing given to a man who attacked his step daughter with a machete.

Jefferson Lauayne Catlyn, a civilian Police mechanic, was given a conditional discharge by Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves on Tuesday for cutting his victim's hand and striking her on the buttocks with the weapon as she cradled her infant.

Ms Dill said: “I am quite surprised that this has been taken so lightly.

“I think it is another nail in the coffin for those people who have to deal with these types of incidences that he took it so lightly.

“We have some deep concerns about the seriousness of Alternatives to Incarceration.”

She urged Islanders to show their displeasure by joining a march on Friday to protest against violence.

The sentence was also attacked by a caller who rang The Royal Gazette to complain about the three month term given to Perry Mosley Puckerin for stabbing a 19-year-old woman in the street.

Jah Simmons, who said he is a relative of the victim, said he was shocked such a low sentence, for what he branded attempted murder, could be given so soon after the killing of Chena Trott.

He said: “Someone needs to be made an example of. Three months? People are doing more time for a joint.”

And he said the sentencing for the Catlyn was crazy.

“There is too much of this kind of thing going. When it comes to attacks with a deadly weapon, the sentences are absurd.”