BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE mother of a convicted man was told that although she had offered to compensate a victim for her son’s wrong doings, he would not be getting a second chance because he had committed a very serious offence.
This pronouncement was made by His Lordship Justice Errol Thomas at the Basseterre High Court on Thursday (Feb. 3), when Patricia Liddie pleaded with him to give her 21-year-old son a second chance in life.
Patricia’s son, Carlyle Liddie, had pleaded guilty to breaking and entering a dwelling house in Sandy Point on March 24, 2010, from which he stole a gold chain, a laptop and EC$15 in coins.
The mother told the court that she was willing to repay for the laptop but in his response to the request, Justice Thomas said, “Well, I can tell you straight up, he wouldn’t be getting a second chance, this offense is very serious. Why people of your age are engaging in these serious crimes? He said he was hungry but he did not steal food, he stole a laptop and money. People your age seem to want things right away…there are so many things you could do.”
Liddie told the court he had taken responsibility for what happened, was very sorry for the mistake he made and asked that the penalty be a bond or a fine.
“I would like a second chance,” he added.
Justice Thomas said he had no sympathy for the accused, even though Probation Office Jerrold Connor revealed that his social inquiry report states he was “born into a family of problems and had no relationship with his father”.
The judge noted that, according to the report, Liddie was convicted in 2008 for throwing missiles and was given a “chance” when placed on probation and curfew.
“While there is crime everywhere, you people continue to make St. Kitts look like a warzone. People are threatening to bring this country to its knees. I have no sympathy for you on second chance. You entered someone’s home and that is a serious offense. You will serve three years in prison,” Justice Thomas said.
