he admitted that he drove a car over a man's foot, then stopped the vehicle and beat the man so badly the victim lost three teeth and suffered a broken jaw.

Smith, 19, of Happy Valley Road, Devonshire, appeared in Supreme Court before Chief Justice Austin Ward charged with causing grievous bodily harm to 47-year-old Cunbanhoe Adolphus Tyrell on August 30, 1996.

Crown counsel Charlene Scott said that the maximum for this kind of unprovoked attack was five years but that three years was appropriate in this case.

Ms Scott pointed out that bystanders urged Smith to stop but he persisted to kick and punch the victim.

Before sentence was passed Smith said: "I'm sorry for what I did. If I could take it back I would.'' Mr. Justice Ward however scaled back Smith's sentence to two and a half years after reading a social inquiry report that had been prepared.