MONTEGO BAY, St James - Twenty-one year-old Stephen Fray,
who in April hijacked a planeload of tourists bound for Canada at the Sangster International Airport, was yesterday sentenced to serve 83 years behind bars by Supreme Court Judge Sarah Thompson James in the Western Regional Gun Court.
FRAY... diagnosed with schizophrenia
But Fray will only spend a maximum 20 years in prison as the sentences are to run concurrently. He received three sentences of 20 years, one of 18 years, one of two years and three of one-year each. Two were discharged.
The 18-year sentence was for the first offence of possession of firearm, journalists were told immediately after the sentencing, while the three 20-year sentences were for shooting with intent and robbery.
Two weeks ago, Fray was found guilty of eight of 10 charges brought against him, including illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, shooting with intent, robbery with aggravation, and breaches of the Civil Aviation Act.
He is to return to the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court later this month to answer to other lesser charges, including assault.
Fray made international headlines on April 19 when he barged past security at the Montego Bay airport and took charge of the Canada-bound chartered flight, holding 159 passengers and the crew hostage.
He released the passengers after about 10 minutes, but held the crew hostage for about four hours. No one was hurt in the ordeal.
Yesterday's sentencing was handed down at approximately 2:30 pm.
Fray, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia, appeared impassive when he was led handcuffed from the courtroom while his family members huddled and wept openly.
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