Robbery accused gets 10-year sentence

By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com

~~Adz:Left~~CHARLESTOWN, Nevis, April – THOMAS SIMMONDS, who stole EC$75 from Simeon Williams at 4.30 p.m. on July 29, 2007, was on Monday found guilty by the jury and sentenced to prison.

The jury was unanimous in its decision and Her Ladyship Justice Ianthea Leigertwood-Octave consequently sentenced Simmonds to 10 years imprisonment. Simmonds, who was unrepresented, pleaded not guilty to the robbery charge. 

Deputy Public Prosecutor Pauline Hendrickson, Reynold Benjamin and Rhonda Nisbett appeared for the prosecution.

Williams testified that on the day in question, Simmonds walked into his living room in Cotton Ground with a crowbar, placed it against his neck and took EC$75 from his pocket.

Williams said shortly after the robbery he reported the incident to Sergeant Alonzo Carty who was on duty in the vicinity. Sergeant Carty apprehended Simmonds but was engaged in a struggle with him while attempting to have him shackled.

Myrle Abbot, who testified that she observed what took place from her home, said she Carty struggling with Simmonds and she decided to assist lawman by calling the Police Station. She added that Constable Tyrone Hughes responded to her call and after a further struggle the two officers were able to subdue and handcuff Simmonds.

Simmonds told the court that his hands, which were in casts, broke during the struggle between him and the officers, but no evidence produced in court to support his claim.

Before he was sentenced, Simmonds pleaded for clemency and begged Her Ladyship to give him a second chance. He said he was married to a God-fearing woman and asked the Judge to order he be rehabilitated instead of a prison sentence.

But Her Ladyship told Simmonds he had previous brushes with the law. “I have heard what you had to say. I am not sure what you mean. This cannot be a second chance...this will be a third or fifth chance. A second chance would have been if you came after one offence. You want me to wipe your slate clean?”

At this juncture, Simmonds said God could do great things for him. He said if rehabilitated outside the prison, he would talk to youths who commit crimes in an effort for them to desist. But Her Ladyship was firm.  She said, “When you make a decision to commit an offence there is somebody on the other end and a community on the other end and the court has to balance all these things.

“You came to Nevis wanting to start all over again, but you committed an offence in 2007. I have to deter you from doing this again.” 

She told Simmonds he would have an opportunity to encourage the young criminals who are already in prison.

“You can tell them you started when you were 20 (referring to his criminal record). If you are too remorseful, this is your opportunity. I have to weigh factors...I cannot say which is the mitigating factor.

“Mr. Williams works hard and you entered into his house took his money out of his pocket. That gentleman is working. He is the example you should look at. Hard work pays! Your last conviction was of a similar nature, nothing has changed. No other option can deter you from doing this,” Her Ladyship told Simmonds who said he would appeal the sentence.