BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - A middle-age sex offender, who was not only chastised by the Court but also given a 10-year prison sentence, was on Friday (May 24) told by His Lordship Justice Errol Thomas that "what saved you is your guilty plea".
Fifty-seven-year-old Benson Thomas had pleaded guilty on March 26, 2013 to unlawful carnal knowledge, an offence which he committed with a child under the age of 12 on December 1, 2011.
Thomas committed the act at the child's residence while he was spending the night there.
It is said that while the other occupants of the home were asleep, he did a number of illicit acts on the child. He also requested she perform oral sex on him, and when she refused he tried to force her but was unsuccessful.
It was also said that he advised the minor not to disclose what transpired.
Thomas' Social Inquiry Report, prepared by Gerald Connor, stated that the offence was out of character as he was a good person who was quiet and humble.
The Report also stated that he had accepted his wrong-doing and appeared to be remorseful for his actions.
Thomas, in his plea for leniency for his "sinful act" asked the Court to consider the fact that he took responsibility for his crime. He also asked forgiveness from both his family and the victim's.
Attorney-at-Law John Cato, who was present at the sentencing hearing, entered a mitigating plea on behalf of Thomas who had appeared to be lost for words.
Cato told the Court that Thomas had never been in trouble with the law and had a good job as a security officer before the crime was committed.
The Attorney requested that the Court "not make his custodial sentence such that he cannot retrieve himself".
Justice Thomas however said that the Court had to consider, among other things, the nature and manner in which the crime was committed.
He described the act as "bizarre and shocking", considering what he wanted the child to do.
He said that crimes against children are becoming more and more prevalent these days and questioned "what must the Court do?"
"The Court must do something about it," he answered.
He told Thomas that his offence was a crime of severity.
"You have to be very sick! And you did the right thing by pleading guilty and not wasting the Court's time," he chastised.
Thomas was given a 15-year nominal sentence which was reduced by a mandatory one third because of his guilty plea.
He would instead be spending 10 years in Her Majesty’s Prison.
