BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FOUR men, brought before the Basseterre High Court of Justice at the start of the criminal assizes, admitted that they were guilty as charged and forewent wasting the court’s time.
The Assizes commenced yesterday (Sept. 22) and saw more than 40 young men and a couple of women appearing before His Lordship Justice Frances Belle for their arraignment.
Desi Williams of Sandy Point was the first to appear before His Lordship, having been charged with an October 28, 2008 incident of rape and May 13, 2008 incidents of burglary, wounding with intent and robbery.
While being arraigned, he confessed his wrong-doings and informed the court that he is guilty of the October 28 offence – which took place in the Mattingley area.
Referencing the May 13, 2008 offences, the indictment charges that Williams entered the dwelling place of an individual – during the night – intent on committing a felony, to wit, rape. To that charge, he pleaded not guilty.
The indictment also charged that Williams, on the same night, wounded the female with intent to do her grievous bodily harm, an accusation he refuted by submission of a not guilty plea.
He however pleaded guilty to robbing the individual and using personal violence against her.
His Lordship Belle, upon request by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paulina Hendrickson, ordered that a social enquiry be compiled for Williams and be submitted to the court on or before October 7, the date of his sentencing hearing.
Robinson Hercules pleaded guilty to two counts of causing malicious damage, which occurred on April 12, 2009.
According to the indictment, on that day, Hercules caused EC$12 500 in damages to five glass windows and two doors at the Mansion Pavilion and EC$21 600 in damages to 51 glass windows at the Estridge Primary School.
Hercules, who resides at Mansion Estate, is to be taken back to court on October 5 for his sentencing, at which point, it is expected that an explanation for his actions would be divulged.
Building breaking and larceny and uttering are the two offences with which Wendell Peets of Durant Avenue has been charged, and while he pleaded guilty to the to the latter, he has not accepted responsibility for the former.
He was accused of breaking into the store of Yvette White between 29-30 January 2009 and stealing a number of items including six leather bags, two silver and white bags, one DVD player, two perfumes, 15 Victoria Secret body lotions, 15 Victoria Secret body spray, six bottles of body wash, six air fresheners, six bottled of shampoo, six bottles of conditioner, four containers of Vaseline, five kitchen curtains, for shower curtains, six head bands, four pairs of shoes, six lady’s watches, one toaster oven, four coco butter cream, two perfumes for men, one Avon set and three make-up sets.
Peets confessed, not to that charge, but to uttering a forged document purported to be a Scotia Bank cheque belonging to Yvette White drawn out to someone other than himself. He is to return to court on October 12 for his sentencing hearing.
Kevin Francis pleaded guilty to unlawfully and maliciously wounding Vincent Warner on May 18, 2009. He was ordered to return to court on October 1 for sentencing.
All convicted persons were remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison, where they await the arrival of their dates of sentencing.
