Soldier who slashed victim with machete jailed for seven years
A soldier has been jailed for seven years for viciously attacking a man with a machete after finding him with his former partner.
Garcia Jermain, 36, who served in the Grenadier Guards for almost 20 years, carried out a ‘sustained and ferocious attack’ on his victim in a jealous rage.
Jermain, of Stirling Road, Bradley, Wolverhampton, had been suffering from post traumatic stress from serving in war zones including Afganistan, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told.
He pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Judge Jonathan Gosling, who jailed Jermain, said he had to balance the attack and the effect on the victim with Jermain’s dedicated, military service.
“None of us can imagine the effect that serving in war zones such as Afganistan, can have on a soldier and you have night terrors and disturbed sleep,” the judge said.
“You also have a physical, knee injury.
“However this was a ferocious and repeated attack on your victim who must have been terrified at the sight of a large, powerful man in a jealous rage, with a machete.”
Mr Edward Soulsby, prosecuting, said the attack happened at Jermain’s former partner’s house in the Wolverhampton area in September last year.
The first blow landed on the victim’s head and others on his hand and the injuries were so bad that he could no longer use his right hand properly.
Mr Simon Rippon, defending Jermain, said his client was no longer in the army, having been medically discharged with post traumatic stress disorder.
“He carried out this attack when he was seriously mentally ill. Even so he must have been holding back because, with 19 years service, if he had intended to kill the man he could easily have done so,” Mr Rippon said.
“He knows his behaviour was extreme and he hopes in time those involved with be able to forgive him.”
Mr Rippon said that Jermain intended to use his time in prison to become a better person and make it a stepping stone to civilian life.
“It will not be easy as he had to have medication for both his physical injury and the PTSD and that is not always possible in prison.”
The judge said Jermain would serve up to half his sentence in jail before his release on licence. He also made a five year restraining order banning him from direct contact with his ex-partner or victim.
