BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – OURTIC GILLARD who is currently spending a seven-year sentence in jail, was today (Oct. 24), given an additional 10 years that will run consecutively with his current time for robbery.
Gillard was convicted on Sep. 29, 2011. The prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt, that the young man did commit robbery at the Calypso Bay, Frigate Bay home of Dr. Larry Betance and his wife Katherine Pereira-Betance on October 10, 2007.
The prosecution team was led by Crown Counsel, Rhonda Nisbett-Browne, who proved that on the date in question, Gillard, armed with a firearm robbed the Betances of a Kipling bag filled with a number of items including EC$40.00, a leather knife and a credit card holder all to the total value of EC $1 565.00.
The bag was later found at the scene of the crime and given to the police by Larry Betance.
A total of eight witnesses were called by the prosecution while the unrepresented Gillard chose to give evidence under oath after the prosecution had rested its case.
At his sentencing, Gillard asked His Lordship Justice Errol Thomas to consider his current sentencing when handing down this new sentence.
“All I’m asking is that I am currently doing a seven year sentence and whatever time I’m doing, I would like it to correspond with the sentence and taken into consideration. I’m doing seven years and already spent four years,” he said.
Gillard is said to be no stranger to the court and has not shown any remorse for what he has done.
According to his social inquiry prepared by Wingrove George, “He (Gillard) deserves no mercy”.
The former Harris’ Home for Boys resident had no respect for his teachers and fellow students when he attended the Sandy Point High School, now Charles E. Mills Secondary, and according to the Principal, he showcased inappropriate and confrontational behavior.
“You terrorized a family of two and a small child; the mother gave evidence to the effect the incident had on the sleeping pattern of the child.
“You will be sentenced to ten years to run consecutively with current sentence and I hope you will change your path at the end of your sentencing,” Justice Thomas said.
Gillard was said to have driven to the Calypso Bay home in a stolen vehicle, which was found near to him when arrested, and dressed in the same clothing described by Larry, when Police met him at Janet’s Alley.
During his apprehension by the police, he was injured and the keys for the car were said to be next to him. There were also some 9mm rounds of bullets found in the car.
Gillard, however, in his testimony told the court that he did not have the keys for the car and did not go to the vehicle.
