BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - FORMER police officer Dennis Doras was last Thursday (Mar. 29) sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for stealing over $50 000 from a company for which he worked as a security officer.
Doras was charged with larceny; an offence that he committed on September 25, 2005. He appeared before Justice Errol Thomas at the Basseterre High Court for sentencing after he was found guilty by a 12-member jury at the sitting of the January 2012 Criminal Assizes.
Doras was represented by Senior Counsel Dr. Henry Browne who, before learning the fate of his client, begged the court for mercy on his client's behalf.
Dr. Browne spoke at length of Doras' health condition which he noted was very challenging and would only deteriorate if he is locked away and not able to properly take care of himself.
He also spoke about Doras' frequent visits to the JNF General Hospital to check on his health.
The Senior Counsel further spoke of his client's good nature, noting that he was honest and respectable and has never had a run-in with the law.
"The prisoner [Doras] is terrific as he has never found himself, except for now, in confrontation with the law. He has been a positive contributor to society…he was just unfortunate to have found himself in that situation.
"He spent time as a police officer and was very honest and showed respect and was respected, and he took pride in his job."
Dr. Browne then told the court of how Doras’ past employers spoke of him, stating that they spoke well in regards to his confidence, honesty and the way he carried himself.
He asked Justice Thomas to take what he said into consideration and not send his client to prison.
"At 48 years of age and with knowledge of what he has to face and given what his employers say, there must be something good in him, and at a moment of weakness allowed himself to lead himself astray for which he is paying for dearly. I am asking Your Lordship to be lenient on him while at the same time giving him a reminder without a custodial sentence."
Justice Thomas, before passing sentence, explained that there were a few things he would take into consideration including the nature of the offence, Doras' age, his physical condition, the fact that he had no previous convictions, and the fact that he was involved in law enforcement for a number of years.
The judge then told Doras that he having been a police officer and the seriousness of the crime, he could not be lenient on him, but at the same time he has to take his medical condition into consideration.
"This was a breach of trust! No former police officer or anybody for that matter but, especially a police officer, could think that the court would take this lightly. You knew better. It must not appear that court would be lenient on a former police officer."
Doras was then sentenced to serve 15 months in prison with the time he was on remand going towards his sentence.
