Fugitive Sentenced Years After Skipping Court in Gun Case
A man from Dash Valley who vanished before receiving punishment for weapon and public violence offences has finally been captured and imprisoned after more than three years on the run.
Fugitive Sentenced Years After Skipping Court in Gun Case
A man from Dash Valley who vanished before receiving punishment for weapon and public violence offences has finally been captured and imprisoned after more than three years on the run.
Court marshals tracked down Corey St Clair Trotman and brought him to the No. 4 Supreme Court on Wednesday. He had earlier owned up to events that took place on the first of July 2018, when he employed a firearm without legal permission and took part in violent conduct capable of making any ordinary bystander fear for their wellbeing.
Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell recounted that officers had received reports of gunfire. During questioning, Trotman acknowledged involvement in the episode and holding a shotgun. He claimed he could not fire it himself and passed it to an associate, who then shot into a gathering of people, wounding one individual.
The judge began with a fifteen-year benchmark for the weapon charge and five years for the disorder. These were each raised by two years after weighing aggravating circumstances: the weapon was a loaded shotgun in a public space, creating danger to ordinary people; it was fired carelessly; someone was injured; such crimes are widespread; and the gun was never found.
"The court must use punishment to echo Parliament's wish that careless, random gun use must end," the judge declared. She questioned the mindset of young males who believe they may shoot weapons in open areas without concern for passers-by who might be hit by stray projectiles.
Trotman had already served seven years for a previous weapon conviction and carried twelve other criminal records, including five for physical attacks. Assessments placed him at medium-to-high likelihood of repeating offences. The court refused to lessen punishment based on earlier claims of regret and promises of reform, pointing to his flight from justice.
The judge told him: "Your pre-sentence file mentioned you and relatives talking about changing your ways. Yet when sentencing arrived, you disappeared and stayed hidden for over three years. Your rehabilitation efforts clearly lack sincerity."
After reductions for his guilty admission, 855 days in pre-trial custody, and a one-year deduction for procedural delays, Trotman must serve seven years and 361 days for the weapon matter plus three years and 118 days for the violence charge. He must also participate in skills-training programmes.
When questioned about his absence, Trotman cited family difficulties and the death of his child's mother, saying he was experiencing considerable hardship.
Source: Barbados Today
Source: Barbados Today