BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A 12-member jury this morning (Jun. 24) found William 'Scudumba' Gift of Sandy Point guilty of having sexual intercourse with a pig.
Gift, charged with the offence of Beastiality, allegedly had sexual intercourse with the animal sometime in December 2009 and was subsequently arrested and charged on December 25, 2009.
He pleaded not guilty and was on bail.
Gift appeared before Justice Francis Belle on Monday, June 14 in the High Court and was told that his case would be heard on Thursday, June 24, 2010. However, yesterday he again appeared before Justice Belle and the prosecution team, led by Director of Public Prosecution Paulina Hendrickson, rested its case after five prosecution witnesses had testified.
Because of the nature of the case, the trial was held in camera and Gift was ordered to return to court today.
Gift had indicated that he would take the stand today, but he did not. The unrepresented accused had decided to remain silent.
On announcement of the jury’s findings, His Lordship adjourned sentencing until Thursday, July 1, 2010.
After the trial, media representatives were outside the court awaiting Gift’s arrival, but he hid himself in the court’s bathroom. He was assisted by a female employee of the Sir Lee Llewellyn Moore Judicial and Legal Complex in evading the press. She allowed him to use another exit instead of the main one of the building.
However, the press caught up with Gift but did not get a comment from him, as he hid his face from view and hurriedly fled the area.
