HARJOT Singh Deo, 25, this week was sentenced to seven years in prison in connection with the 2017 manslaughter of his girlfriend Bhavkiran (Kiran) Dhesi, 19, and interfering with her body.

Earlier this month, Crown counsel told B.C. Supreme Court Justice Jeanne Watchuk that though the shooting was accidental, Deo had a high degree of moral blameworthiness because he regularly carried a dangerous firearm. Also, his moral blameworthiness was high for the charge of committing an indignity to a human body,

Crown counsel wanted Deo to receive six years for manslaughter with a firearm and four years for covering up the crime, to be served consecutively.

Defence counsel had argued for six years for both offences.

Watchuk said that the most aggravating factor was Dhesi’s extremely reckless use of a firearm but also took into account the fact that Deo was now leading a different life with different goals.

She said that Deo acted out of panic and a lower degree of planning and deliberation.

Watchuk imposed a sentence of six years in jail for manslaughter and one year in jail for interfering with the victim’s body. The sentences will be served consecutively.