Elroy Griffiths, who was once Portland’s most wanted man, was sentenced on Tuesday to 18 years in prison at hard labour for the 2019 murder of his common-law wife Mourine Johnson.

Griffiths, otherwise called ‘Greg’ went on the run on August 20, 2019 after he slashed Johnson’s throat and stabbed her in the stomach, before setting their house in Buff Bay, Portland ablaze. After committing the crime, the accused left the house and threw the knife in the direction of the neighbour’s house.

The fire department was called to the scene of the fire and 50-year-old Johnson’s body was found on the verandah completely burnt.

READ: Portland man fatally stabs common-law wife, torches house

On Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at approximately 5:00 am, a joint Police/Military team carried out a raid in the Caenwood area of Portland in search of Griffiths.

READ: Portland’s most wanted captured by police

After being captured, Griffiths, while in police custody, gave a caution statement where he admitted to Johnson’s murder and arson.

“Officer mi can say something to you, a mi a Portland most wanted Elroy Griffiths a mi did kill di woman and set di house a fire a Buff Bay offica,” he said.

After giving the caution statement, Griffiths was formally charged with murder and arson on January 18, 2022.

On June 21, 2023, Griffiths appeared before the Portland Circuit Court and pleaded guilty to the offence of murder of Mourine Johnson. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison hard labour, with eligibility for parole after 12 years.

No evidence was offered on the arson charge.