🔒 Two men sentenced for manslaughter and illegal firearm possession

Justin Kyle Jackson (24) and Eric Brian Williams Soto (23) have been sentenced to 14 years and one month, and ten years in prison respectively. The sentences come after the two men were found guilty of manslaughter and possession of a loaded illegal firearm during a failed robbery in April 2022. The robbery, which took place at a numbers shop, resulted in the death of retired prison officer Harry Elliott. Jackson's sentence was longer due to previous convictions and a separate conviction for possession of another unlicensed firearm. The sentencing judge, Justice Cheryll Richards, outlined the reasons for the prison terms, considering the crime's details, the defendants’ circumstances, and the aggravating and mitigating factors. 🏛️

Justice Richards began the sentencing at twelve years but increased it due to several aggravating factors. These included Jackson firing a gun in a small room with several people inside and being on parole for another violent crime at the time of the incident. Jackson was also found to be at high risk of re-offending and had a history of extorting cash from numbers shops. However, several mitigating circumstances were taken into account, including Jackson admitting to manslaughter shortly after his arrest and having recently diagnosed mental health and developmental issues. These factors led to a reduction in the sentence by around one-third. Jackson was also handed a ten-year mandatory term for possession of the gun used in the crime, which was to run concurrently with the manslaughter sentence. 🏛️

Soto's sentence, in comparison, started at twelve years but was reduced to ten years due to his lesser role in the crime, his previous good character, and other factors. His sentence for the weapon used in the robbery was also set to run concurrently with the manslaughter sentence. The case highlights the tragic consequences of crime and the importance of obeying the rule of law. 🏛️