Justice was posthumously served yesterday when a convicted killer was given more jail time for a violent attack on the woman he eventually murdered.

In July of this year George McDonald (Messy) Liburd, 32, was jailed for life for the August 2002 murder of his ex-girlfriend, Chena Trott.

And in Supreme Court yesterday Liburd was given further jail terms totalling eight years after pleading guilty to assault charges stemming from an attack on Ms Trott just weeks before her brutal slaying.

Summing up the case for the Crown before Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves, prosecutor Graveney Bannister told how, on July 2, 2002 Ms Trott?s father heard her three children screaming for help.

Rushing to their aid, Mr. Trott then saw his daughter being dragged by her hair from her home by Liburd. Mr. Trott followed the defendant and his daughter outside in order to intervene, saying: ?You are messing with my daughter again!?

Fearful for his daughter?s life, he punched Liburd, who returned his punch, flinging Mr. Trott into the bushes.

Mr. Bannister told the court that Ms Trott?s cousin, Mr. Somersall, who was also present, then approached Liburd armed with an iron wrench. During the ensuing fight he receiving a broken jaw in the process.

The court heard how, after being released from hospital two weeks later, Mr. Somersall was offered $1,500 by Liburd to drop the charges.

In light of the defendant?s history, the prosecution called for a substantial sentence. Mr. Bannister suggested seven years for the first charge of attempting to commit grievous bodily harm on Ms Trott and an additional year for causing actual bodily harm to Mr. Somersall.

?It is not acceptable in a civilised community that men should abuse women in this form,? Mr. Bannister said.

But defence lawyer Anthony Richardson, questioned whether the use of a wrench by Mr. Somersall was necessary, especially after Liburd had ?loosened his grip? on Ms Trott. He further questioned why both the complainant and Mr. Trott continued to strike Liburd after he had let go of his victim, and even after he was on the ground.

Mr. Richardson also questioned the attending police officer about photos that were taken of the defendant?s facial injuries after the incident ? photos that failed to appear in court yesterday.

And while he concurred with his colleague over the suggested sentence, Mr. Richardson reminded the court that the defendant?s current life sentence for Ms Trott?s murder could not be considered in the current case. He also mentioned that Liburd had pleaded guilty in order that the tax payer?s money would not be wasted if the case had gone to trial. Since the defendant is already serving a life sentence, Mr. Richardson added, ?he has, in a sense, nothing to lose?.

Before being sentenced, Liburd said he was ?very sorry? for the incident, but added:?When I let her go they were still attacking me. I wish the pictures were there to show.?

After a long pause, Justice Greaves confirmed to a nearly empty courtroom that Liburd would receive a seven year sentence for the first count of attempted grievous bodily harm, and a one year sentence for actual bodily harm, concurrent to each other and to his current life sentence.