Durban - Suspended police captain Larry Heslop, of Wentworth, was sentenced to an effective 15 years in jail for attempted murder and possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.
On Wednesday, Durban Regional Court magistrate Anand Maharaj sentenced him to 10 years for the attempted murder charge and five years for the other.
“As a captain in the police service for 11 years and a policeman for 23 years, you ought to have known better. You broke your commitment to the police force to protect and serve,” said Maharaj when handing down sentence.
An altercation had ensued between Heslop and Michael Bruce over a parking space at a petrol garage on September 6 last year. Heslop pulled out an unlicensed firearm and shot Bruce while he was running away.
Bruce had earlier testified to spending three weeks in hospital because of damage to his kidney, liver and intestines.
Heslop was arrested on September 10 after a search by Brighton Beach police officers and has been in custody since.
He was convicted in February of attempted murder as well as possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He was acquitted on two other attempted murder charges.
In arguments for sentencing, Heslop expressed remorse and apologised for his actions, but Bruce did not accept this apology, saying it was too late.
The magistrate said he was not convinced the apology was sincere.
Heslop told the court he shot Bruce with Bruce’s gun, however, the ballistics report showed the victim’s gun was not used in the shooting.
Maharaj said Heslop did not tell the court he used a gun given to him for safekeeping.
He said Heslop did not report the incident to the police or check to see if Bruce was injured or needed help, but instead went home.
Prosecutor Kuveshni Pillay had called Lieutenant-Colonel Jason McGray earlier this week to testify for the State.
“As a result of his position as a senior manager in the police organisation, he was expected not only to set an example for his subordinates, but to the community as a whole,” McGray had said.
He said Heslop had not only abused this power but intentionally chose to use a gun to commit an unlawful act of shooting an innocent member of the public, being aware his actions could result in that person’s death.
The magistrate agreed, saying Bruce had suffered a great deal of pain and trauma.
“The court cannot condone violent conduct and must take measures to ensure safe living conditions for the community. One of the ways is to impose robust sentences as a deterrent,” Maharaj said.
Daily News