Man who stabbed St Joseph’s Church priest in 2024 gets over four years’ jail, nine strokes of cane
A man who stabbed a Catholic priest at St Joseph’s Church during a children’s mass in November 2024 has been sentenced to four years, three months’ jail and nine strokes of the cane. The attacker, Basnayake Keith Spencer, 38, pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing grievous…
Intelligence analysis by Llama
A man who stabbed a Catholic priest at St Joseph’s Church during a children’s mass in November 2024 has been sentenced to four years, three months’ jail and nine strokes of the cane. The attacker, Basnayake Keith Spencer, 38, pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing grievous hurt with a dangerous weapon and weapon possession.
A man named Basnayake Keith Spencer stabbed a Catholic priest at a church during a children’s mass in 2024. He was sentenced to four years, three months’ jail and nine strokes of the cane. The priest was hurt badly and had to go to the hospital. The man had been in trouble before for hurting someone else with a knife.
Analysis
Background
Basnayake Keith Spencer, 38, was sentenced to four years, three months’ jail and nine strokes of the cane for stabbing a Catholic priest at St Joseph’s Church during a children’s mass in November 2024. The attack left the priest with severe physical harm, including an 8cm laceration on his tongue, a 3cm cut on his upper left lip, and 4cm cut on the corner of his mouth.
The Attack
The court heard that Basnayake arrived at the church alone at around 5.30pm and sat on the pew in the middle of the church hall. He took two pills to help him stay focused before communion began. However, he later turned around to join the back of Father Lee’s queue and suddenly took out a foldable knife that was 23cm long with a 10cm blade, and thrust it into Father Lee’s mouth. Father Lee stepped back, bleeding profusely, and quickly grabbed the rear pocket of Basnayake’s jeans to prevent him from hurting others.
The Aftermath
Basnayake was arrested at the scene and later found in possession of a 14.5cm penknife, a flip knife, and a fishing gaff. He was denied bail in December 2024, after the prosecution described him as a highly dangerous person with a high risk of reoffending. He has been in remand for more than a year and nine months. Father Lee was discharged from hospital on November 15, 2024, six days after the attack, and required speech therapy months after the incident.
The Sentence
In sentencing Basnayake, District Judge Shaiffudin Saruwan said: “The attack was wholly unprovoked and caused severe physical harm to a defenceless man, and the punishment must reflect the full gravity of his offences.” He added that Basnayake struck the priest at the precise moment he was administering a sacred ritual, which led to a real potential for mass panic and further injuries. For voluntarily causing grievous hurt with a weapon, an offender can be sentenced to life imprisonment, or face up to 15 years’ jail, be fined and caned.
Key points
- Basnayake Keith Spencer, 38, was sentenced to four years, three months’ jail and nine strokes of the cane for stabbing a Catholic priest at St Joseph’s Church during a children’s mass in November 2024.
- The attack left the priest with severe physical harm, including an 8cm laceration on his tongue, a 3cm cut on his upper left lip, and 4cm cut on the corner of his mouth.
- Basnayake was arrested at the scene and later found in possession of a 14.5cm penknife, a flip knife, and a fishing gaff.
- He was denied bail in December 2024, after the prosecution described him as a highly dangerous person with a high risk of reoffending.
- Father Lee was discharged from hospital on November 15, 2024, six days after the attack, and required speech therapy months after the incident.
The sentencing of Basnayake Keith Spencer to four years, three months’ jail and nine strokes of the cane may serve as a deterrent to others who may consider committing similar crimes. It also highlights the importance of prioritizing the safety and well-being of religious institutions and the community.
The attack on the priest and the subsequent sentencing of Basnayake Keith Spencer raises concerns about the safety of religious institutions and the community. It also highlights the need for stricter punishment for such crimes and the importance of addressing the root causes of violence.
