Gregory Park labourer gets 14 years for burning girlfriend after choking attack

Lavar Braham, a 28-year-old labourer from Gregory Park in Portmore, St Catherine, has been ordered to spend more than 14 years behind bars after he choked his girlfriend into unconsciousness and set her on fire.

Justice Yvonne Brown handed down the penalty on Friday in the St Catherine Circuit Court. Braham received 14 years and seven months for assault occasioning grievous bodily harm with intent, plus three years, two months and 28 days for choking with intent. Both terms will be served at the same time.

According to evidence before the court, by September 2022 the couple's intimate relationship had broken down. Braham struck the woman, throttled her until she passed out, then doused her with alcohol and lit her on fire.

She was admitted to hospital because of her injuries. Portmore detectives opened a probe that resulted in his arrest. After a question-and-answer interview with investigators, he was charged.