BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WEEKS after being convicted of two counts of “wounding with intent”, former Defence Force soldier Louis Richards was sentenced to serve 12 years at Her Majesty’s Prison.
The young man appeared yesterday morning (Dec. 1) before the Basseterre High Court of Justice for his sentencing hearing presided over by His Lordship Justice Francis Belle.
On October 21, 2009, a 12-member jury convicted Richards of wounding Addren Searles and Jevon Woodley with intent to cause them grievous bodily harm.
The incident which led to Richards’ indictment transpired on the night of August 3, 2007 at Old Road. According to evidence presented in court, while Richards was sitting in the vicinity of Lover’s Bar in Old Road, shots rang out and he was injured in the process. Richards sought cover and after emerging he fired a shot at Searles, which struck him in the arm. Sometime later, as the evidence showed, he, while at the eastern end of Old Road, shot Jevon Woodley.
During Richard’s testimony, he told the court that he saw Searles and Woodley shooting at him and felt his life was being threatened by the two individuals.
Mitigating pleas were presented on Richards’ behalf by defence counsel Jason Hamilton who indicated that Richards – who was employed by the St. Kitts Nevis Defence Force for six years prior to the incident – from all accounts, was a diligent and competent soldier who went above and beyond the call of duty in service to his country.
Hamilton explained to the court that Richards was not only dedicated to his country but also a dedicated father to his 10-year-old son and his eight-year-old daughter.
Hamilton told the court that staff members at Her Majesty’s Prison, where Richards is housed, have spoken of him as a conscientious inmate who could be relied upon to give assistance when needed.
Richards is currently serving a 12-year sentence imposed on him earlier this year following his conviction of the manslaughter of Clyde Williams of Old Road. That incident transpired at the same time of the wounding of Searles and Woodley.
Hamilton explained to the court that during his conversations with Richards, he gathered that the convicted man regrets what transpired, especially in light of the loss of life. Counsel beseeched the court to exercise leniency and temper justice with mercy, and suggested that whatever sentence is handed down runs concurrent to the one he currently serves.
His Lordship sentenced Richards to six years for wounding Woodley and six years for wounding Searles, which are to commence from the day of his conviction. These sentences are to run concurrent to the one he serves on the manslaughter conviction.
