5 November 2018
SENTENCING OF SHAVON LEO
On Tuesday, 30 October 2018, a jury found Shavon Leo guilty of causing the death of Eugene Henry through dangerous driving, Leo having already pled guilty to driving two times over the prescribed limit at the time of the crash.
The Court has on Friday, 2 November 2018, handed down to Shavon Leo an immediate custodial sentence of 18 months. This sentence reflects the seriousness of his actions, though was noted by the Chief Justice as being ‘lenient’ due to reasons laid out in the Supreme Court session.
Detective Sergeant, David Honan, said on Friday:
“Today is about loss. The Henry family, Sandra, Patrick, Leanne, Madonna, and Kacy, have lost a son and a brother. Shavon Leo, as a result of his actions, has lost a childhood friend and, this afternoon, his liberty.
“I do not want the community on St Helena to suffer a further loss like this. Eugene’s death was directly attributable to a driver driving in excess of the speed limit on a road at night and whilst under the influence of alcohol. I would therefore appeal to people to take care when driving, not to drive whilst drunk, and drive as per the speed limit. You have a responsibility to those passengers in your car and to other road users. This conviction shows that you will be held to that responsibility.
“I wish to pay tribute to the Henry family. Since they received that dreadful news on 12 August 2017, they have shown immense courage and fortitude throughout what has been a very difficult time.
“I would like to thank my colleagues in the Attorney Generals Chambers for their advice and guidance during the lengthy and complex police investigation – the first of its type on-Island. Also to the members of the emergency services that attended the scene, this was a very harrowing task made more so by the closeness of our community.
“I wish to repeat my plea to anyone considering getting behind the steering wheel of a car having consumed alcohol – DON’T. Your actions could have life changing implications.”
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SHG
5 November 2018