causing injuries which are having long term effects.

Andre Terrance Minors made an emotional plea for forgiveness to Crystal Pearman the mother of his four-year-old daughter.

He struggled to control his emotions as he also stuttered out an almost tearful apology to the little girl. It was a complete opposite to his demeanour in the witness box on Monday where he smiled during questioning from Crown Counsel Ms Sharon Kenny.

Minors faced 20 years in prison but Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice Ward took into account his lawyer Ms Patrica Harvey's 105-minute speech in mitigation in Supreme Court yesterday.

The attack has left Pearman with partial disabilities in both hands since it happened in October.

Minors, 28, of Hamilton Parish stabbed Pearman on October 13, 1991 after flagging her down on North Shore Road while she was on her way to work. He claimed he was meeting her to take their daughter out for the day.

He said Pearman had not brought his daughter and she had driven her cycle at him, hitting his lower groin. That was dismissed by Mr. Justice Ward.

During her mitigation speech Ms Harvey attempted to prove this was the first time her client had been involved in violence of this type, despite a number of convictions for assault, some involving weapons.

She asked for the fact that Minors had pleaded guilty and turned himself in to the Police to be taken into account. She said her client had been under emotional and financial stress.

Ms Harvey said that when the attack was taking place Minors was out of control, or "out of it'' as Pearman had earlier described.

Before he was sentenced Minors said: "I would like to say how truly sorry I am for what has happened and I would like to ask Miss Crystal Pearman and her entire family if they can find it in their hearts to forgive me for any embarrassment, suffering or pain that I may have caused them throughout this ordeal.

"I would also like to say that although I still care for Miss Pearman I know that it is not possible that we may resume our relationship. I encourage her to strive for her dreams and have no fear of anyone or anything in achieving her goals.

"I would also like to take the opportunity to ask my grandparents, my mother and my entire family for their forgiveness and for any embarrassment I may have caused.'' Minors continued, almost breaking down in tears as he spoke about their daughter and the fact that she was too young to understand the full consequences of what he did. He said: "To my daughter, who does not know what is going on here. I ask for her forgiveness. To let her know that Daddy truly loves her very much.'' Mr. Justice Ward took 15 minutes to decide the sentence. He said: "The injuries on the victim in this appalling act were very serious indeed.

"There were numerous stab wounds and the victim now suffers 20 percent disability in both hands.'' He said that Minors was not being sentenced for his previous acts of violence but they had proved it was not a one-off offence.

Mr. Justice Ward sentenced Minors to 16 years prison running from March 28, 1993. He said he would be offered counselling and treatment for drug and alcohol problems.

Pearman has received $70,000 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board for her injuries.