BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN spite of a well-written poem about his life’s circumstances, his current involvement in academic studies and an apology to the victim of his crime, Akeem Chumney was sentenced to serve 15 months with hard labour at Her Majesty’s Prison.
He was unanimously found guilty of assault with intent to rob on May 29; an offence he committed on November 4, 2011.
The 22-year-old appeared at the Basseterre High Court before His Lordship Justice Errol Thomas for sentencing, and before judgement was passed apologised for wasting the Court's time.
Chumney was said to have entered a woman's business place in Lower Cayon on the said date and demanded money while pointing a gun at her.
It is said that the woman told Chumney she had no money and then began calling on the Lord, but he hit her in the back of her head and walked out of the salon.
After the prosecution rested its case, Chumney, who was self-represented, took the stand in an effort to convince the jury of his innocence but was unsuccessful. He also called one person to give evidence on his behalf.
At sentencing, he expressed "deepest sympathy to the victim", adding if she has not yet recovered, he hopes she would soon do so.
Chumney told the Court that he is currently attending CXC classes at Her Majesty's Prison and would be taking examination in January.
The convict stated that he had learned a lot while in prison and that circumstances dictate a person's life. He also said that it was circumstances that got him into the situation he was in.
He then recited a poem that spoke to the circumstances in his life.
Justice Thomas told Chumney that when he stood in the prison dock and expressed remorse, it clearly signalled to the world that he should not have engaged in that criminal act.
He then read the assessment of Chumney's Social Inquiry Report, which stated that he has a problem in decision-making and resorts to his peers for advice who often lead him astray.
It also stated that he was left to wander the streets as he had no proper parental guidance.
The Report further stated that Chumney tried to redeem himself educationally but failed in his attempt.
It was revealed that Chumney had spent three months in prison for possession of cannabis and was going to be given a 15-month suspended sentence. However, Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Rhonda Nisbett-Browne objected that it could not be done because the crime involved the use of a firearm.
The convict was therefore sentenced to spend 15 months in prison with hard labour.
Justice Thomas told Chumney that his sentence is aimed at rehabilitation and "the rest is up to you".
