BASSETERRE St. Kitts - ALMOST to tears, 22-year-old Darren Patrick yesterday (Feb. 23) made a passionate plea for leniency and even tried to bargain with the court, but was instead slapped with a four year imprisonment by His Lordship Justice Errol Thomas.
Patrick was found guilty of wounding with intent and unlawful wounding; offences committed against 78-year-old Samuel Smithen in Tabernacle on December 6, 2010.
Before being sentenced, Patrick begged the court for leniency, noting that during the trial he was unable to capitalise on his defence.
"I know it may seem like I have wasted the court's time, but, in a way I could not defend myself the way I would have liked to and the court had to work with whatever evidence was given."
He went to explain that he is a good person who grew up without a father and helps his mother on a regular basis.
"I am a hardworking man with a daughter who depends on me. I did not have a father in my life and I do not want my daughter to grow up like that. I did not have a father and my mother went through a lot of struggles to look after me on her own. She is sick and I have been there to support her. Her other children don't.
"I know it may be hard to grant me leniency due to the fact that I have been in a situation like this, but I would love to be there for my mother to help her because she is getting old."
Patrick went on to say that he does not want his girlfriend to be a single parent raising their child on her own.
He then tried to bargain with the court to have him banned from criminal activities in exchange for freedom.
"Maybe you can ban me from appearing in court and ban me from gangs and even make me pay a fine. And if I ever get in trouble again, I bear a much greater penalty than what you have in store for me today."
Patrick's mother and girlfriend also spoke on his behalf, stating that he is a hardworking and very good person who greatly assists around the home.
They both said that he is very close to his daughter and since his incarceration she has been regularly asking for him.
According to the Social Inquiry Report that was prepared by Probation Officer Wingrove George, Patrick squandered his educational opportunities.
It stated that he did not see it fit to show any remorse for the victim who is old enough to be his grandfather.
Before passing sentence, His Lordship told Patrick that not having a father figure in his life does not excuse his behaviour.
"The fact that you grew up without a father is not an excuse to commit crime. A person of your age must understand right from wrong. You planned the event because you said you were going to do it."
The judge emphasised that both the weapon used and the head wound the victim sustained were serious.
His Lordship also made mention of Patrick's two previous convictions - battery in 2007 and possession of cannabis in 2008.
After passing sentence, the judge asked the convicted man, "Did you think about your mother, daughter and girlfriend before doing what you did?"
