Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

Mitchum Hodge was spared jail time in relation to his role in the June 2010 Virgin Gorda gun-butting of Kelbert George.

Hodge, who pleaded guilty to wounding during the last criminal assizes was sentenced today, July 11 to two years in prison, suspended for eighteen (18) months. This means that if Hodge commits another criminal offence within 18 months, the two year sentence will be activated by the court.

Initially, Hodge was charged with two other persons in relation to the incident. They have maintained their innocence and a re-trial will commence on Monday, July 16 before Justice Albert Redhead. Prosecutor Sarah Benjamin will be prosecuting the case.

It was the crown's case that Hodge along with another male went to the home of the young man who they assaulted on the morning of June 26, 2010.

The victim, Kelbert George exited his vehicle from across his home when Hodge and the other male pounced on him and dealt him blows about his body. The men gun-butted George, but stopped when the complainant pretended to be unconscious.

It was stated in court earlier that the attack stemmed from retaliation over the outcome of a previous court case involving George's friend, who was the defendant, while Hodge was the complainant in the matter. The sitting Magistrate in that case had upheld a no case submission.