BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – GIBSON BLAKE was yesterday (May 31) sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour after pleading guilty to abduction with intent to rape and burglary at the opening of the May Assizes.
His Lordship Justice Errol Thomas sentenced him to 10 years for burglary and two years for abduction with intent to rape; however, both sentences will run concurrently.
According to the evidence presented in court by the prosecution, the incident occurred at the Bird Rock apartment of the female complainant sometime after 3:00 a.m. on July 10, 2010.
The complainant told police that she was in bed around that time when she heard a strange sound.
She got out of bed to investigate and saw the accused with a stocking over his head.
The woman said she asked him what he was doing in her home and he responded by demanding money from her.
The accused took her handbag and removed EC$5 943 from it.
He also took her car keys and told her to accompany him when he was leaving the apartment, but she refused and he responded by saying that he had a gun in his possession.
She complied with his demand and he drove the car to a dark area behind Valu Mart where he parked it and told the woman that he wanted to have sex with her.
She pleaded with him and he decided to abandon the idea.
The accused then drove the vehicle to an area in New Pond Site and showed the woman where he lives; following which he parked it at a gas station in the vicinity of Valu Mart.
Before exiting the vehicle, he told the woman not to call the police and that he would return her money.
When asked if he had anything to say before sentencing or if he had any character witness to speak on his behalf, Blake said “no” to both questions.
According to the probation officer’s report, Blake was failed by his parents, society and himself.
The report also noted that he has many previous convictions including larceny, battery and carrying an offensive weapon.
His Lordship told Blake that he would have received 15 years for the burglary charge but took his plea of guilty into consideration.
“You will not be vacationing on Cayon Street for the next 10 years,” Justice Thomas said.
He will also be counselled by a psychologist for the duration of his sentence, or for as long as the doctor sees it necessary.
