BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - KASPER ROUSE, who pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding, was given a reduced sentence of six years and seven months.
Rouse was charged with wounding with intent and unlawful wounding; an offence which he committed on September 16, 2010.
He appeared before His Lordship Justice Errol Thomas today (Dec. 11) to be given his fate.
Attorney-at-Law John Cato, Rouse's legal representation, entered a plea of mitigation on behalf of his client.
Cato said that Rouse came from a family of 12 siblings and despite having caring parents he did not have the best upbringing.
He said Rouse had never been in serious trouble and, making reference to the Social Inquiry Report (SIR), he said it speaks glowingly of his football skills.
"It is clear he is not academically bent but he has had a steady job.. He grew up without the guidance of his mother and was left mainly in the care of his father and siblings," Cato told the court.
Cato also spoke of Rouse joint carwash and mechanic business with his cousins, which he said is well known in the village of Fortlands.
He stated that the convict, according to his SIR, was not a gang member and always did his best to stay away from trouble.
Cato said his client did not present any gross aggravating circumstances and he had no previous convictions, which made him a suitable candidate for rehabilitation with regards to the case of Desmond Baptiste vs. The Queen.
The Attorney then asked for a "short and snappy" sentence if the Court saw it necessary for him to be incarcerated. He also asked the Court to consider the fact that Rouse did not "give the Court trouble and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity".
Rouse's SIR stated that the seriousness of the matter had yet to settle in him, but he however showed remorse for his actions.
Justice Thomas, before passing judgement, told Rouse that the Court did not consider his case one for rehabilitation given the seriousness of the crime.
Referring to the testimony of Dr. Cameron Wilkinson, the Chief Surgeon at the JNF General Hospital, the judge said the injuries the victim sustained were so serious and life threatening that without timely surgical intervention could have resulted in his demise.
Rouse was then sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, which was reduced by one third given his guilty plea.
Justice Thomas told Rouse that a custodial sentence was necessary because of the seriousness of the offence.
Kasper and his cousin Kenville Rouse, both of Fortlands, Basseterre, were jointly charged with the unlawful wounding and wounding with intent of 28-year-old Gregory 'Webber' Mills.
The incident reportedly took place at about 6:00 a.m. in the vicinity of the St. Kitts-Nevis Fire and Rescue Services (SKNFRS) in Basseterre where the victim was stabbed several times.
The Rouse cousins' trial was scheduled to begin on December 3, but when the jury selection was over Kasper made the change in plea.
