A judge has corrected reports of an American visitor who was dealt a suspended sentence for causing the death of Laquan Thomas by careless driving.

Puisne Judge Alan Richards told the Supreme Court that Evan Weiner, from New Jersey, was sentenced to eight months behind bars, suspended for a period of two years.

During a hearing to discuss a bail application for Curtis Richardson yesterday, Mr Justice Richards said that in sentencing Weiner, he set a starting point of 12 months behind bars, but reduced it to eight months on account of his early guilty plea.

The judge added that he chose to suspend the sentence in part because Weiner had already spent more than two months behind bars — a detail that he noted had not previously been reported.

Weiner was further fined $5,000 for the fatal collision.

The Royal Gazette previously reported that Weiner had been sentenced to two years in prison, suspended by two years, based on comments by Adley Duncan, the Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions.

Mr Duncan said Mr Justice Richards correctly pointed out the error, confirming that Wiener was sentenced to eight months, suspended for two years, having spent two months on remand.

Mr Thomas died on May 19 after a collision involving a motorcycle and a livery cycle on Malabar Road in Sandys.

The 30-year-old, who held three jobs and played for several football teams including Devonshire Cougars, North Village and Vasco da Gama Club, was remembered for his calm demeanour and dependability.

Weiner was originally charged in May with causing death by driving while impaired by alcohol, which he denied, but he later pleaded guilty to the alternative charge of causing death by careless driving.

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