BASSETERRE, St. Kitts –“IT is hoped that after Buchanan’s seven years in prison, he would reflect on his life and that when he returns to society he would be a better person.”
That was the statement from Buchanan’s social inquiry report which was read at his sentencing yesterday (Oct. 24), and was prepared by probation officer Wingrove George which was ordered after he was convicted of robbery.
At the sentencing, His Lordship Justice Errol Thomas read parts of the report which also stated that Buchanan has a serious problem with behavior and needs to do some soul searching.
On Oct. 4, at the Basseterre High Court, a 12-membery jury unanimously found Buchanan guilty of the crime after the prosecution team which was led by Crown Counsel O’Neil St. A. Simpson, proved that he was armed with a firearm and did rob Alexander Warner on November 27, 2010.
The incident was said to have occurred around 10:00 p.m. at a shop belonging to Warner on Station Street, Sandy Point, where Buchanan robbed Warner of EC$200.
The prosecution called a total of four witnesses and after the prosecution rested its case, the accused (unrepresented) chose to give evidence under oath and called two witnesses.
In his testimony, Warner told the court that he knew the accused since he opened his shop four years ago and said that he also knew him very well.
He said the accused would always be in his shop buying “chicken and chips”.
The social inquiry report also stated that Warner said he was trying to do something honest within the law with his business, and that the accused had befriended him and he used to give him free chicken.
His only previous conviction was for a simple wounding charge at the magistrate court.
“The prevalence of crime involving guns in the Federation is unacceptable,” said Justice Thomas before giving him the seven year sentence.
Buchanan was also on remand along with his brother Kassim who will also be facing a wounding matter.
