Griffin, a Virgin Islander, had pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was bound over to keep the peace for 12 months, and if he fails to comply with the court’s instruction he will be fined $500 or spend three months in prison.

According to the prosecution, he and Fitzroy Barnes, the VC, were at Warner’s Bar, Purcell Estate on September 10, 2011 around 10:30 a.m., and eventually Barnes left to go to another bar.

However, the court heard that the defendant followed Barnes accusing him of trying to set him up to be robbed. To this end, Griffin, using his fists, began to hit the VC in his face.

Crown Counsel Hebert Potter disclosed that the VC then went to his stepfather’s home a few minutes away but returned to the bar because he had left something. And again he was attacked by Griffin.

A report was made to the Police and the VC was found on a couch at his step-father’s bleeding from the mouth and left eye swollen. He was taken to Peebles Hospital for observation and discharged the following day.

As for Griffin, 37, he was arrested and cautioned, according to the Crown Counsel, and placed on Police bail.

Before handing down her sentence, Senior Magistrate Valerie Stephens wanted to speak with Barnes, who was in the court’s compound, but he could not make an appearance because he was inebriated.