BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – JOSEPH ‘GALVANIZE’ HAZEL, who was convicted of rape some months ago, appeared before the Basseterre High Court of Justice on Tuesday (Sept. 22) for sentencing but it was deferred because the social inquiry report had not yet been received by the Court.
Convicted some three months ago by a 12-member jury, Hazel was scheduled for sentencing at the commencement of the September 2015 Criminal Assizes and in preparation for which a social inquiry report was to have been compiled.
The Crown, Hazel’s defence counsel Fitzroy Eddy and sitting judge Her Ladyship Justice Marlene Carter all indicated that neither had they received the report.
Hazel however confirmed that it was not until two weeks ago that he was visited by the individual(s) responsible for compiling the report.
The convicted man was advised to return to the Court on November 6, 2015 for a sentencing hearing and Her Ladyship Carter said the report should be handed in at least one week prior so as to allow for all parties involved to peruse it before sentencing is done.
The offence for which he was convicted occurred in 2012.
