BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CONVICTED child rapist Calvert Doyling yesterday (Mar. 14) quickly recanted his appeal at the Court of Appeal, when he was told by His Lordship Justice Hugh Rawlins that more time could be added to his 16-year sentence.
Doyling, who was originally charged with rape but pleaded guilty to unlawful carnal knowledge of a seven-year-old girl at the May 2010 Assizes, wanted to appeal for a reduction in the time he has to spend in jail.
The Court of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court five-day sitting began yesterday before Justices of Appeal His Lordship Hugh Rawlins, Her Ladyship Ola Mae Edwards and Acting Justice of Appeal Tyrone Chung.
Doyling told the court that he was not there to waste the court’s time and that he was appealing against the sentence because “it was too long”.
“You realise the seriousness of the matter? Did you hear what the trial judge said? Are you aware that you can be given more time?” Justice Rawlins asked Doyling who responded, “I would like some time off.”
“What should we give time off for?” Justice Rawlins inquired, and Doyling explained that the time he spent on remand should be taken into consideration.
“The judge would have considered all of that. This matter is very serious. Do you realise how serious it is? Very rare we come across a matter of this nature. We cannot see the way of taking off but we see the way of adding on,” Justice Rawlins told Doyling.
Upon hearing that, Doyling quickly said, “I withdraw my Lord.”
Justice Rawlins described the matter as a very bad case and said they were dismissing the appeal and confirming the original sentence, which runs from the date of conviction.
According to evidence presented at the Old Road resident’s sentencing hearing, the prosecutor said the incident took place at about 6:30 a.m. on April 4, 2008 and police officers became aware of it after a report was filed by the victim’s older sister.
The court was also told that the child was taken to the Joseph N. France General Hospital where she was treated and warded for some time.
At his May 20, 2010 sentencing, Doyling told the court that he did not know what came over him when he committed the offence, and indicated that he was consuming alcohol sometime prior to the incident which may have influenced his behaviour.
The maximum sentence for unlawful carnal knowledge is life imprisonment.
