EASTERN CARIBBEAN SUPREME COURT

TERRITORY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE

CRIMINAL CASE NO. 13 OF 2021

REX

and

GARY ANTHONY GONSALVES

Appearances: Ms. Patrice Hickson, Senior Crown Counsel for the Crown Mr. Stephen Daniels, Counsel for the Defendant

2023: January 10

20

JUDGMENT ON SENTENCING

THE FACTS

T.W.R Astaphan, K.C., J: The Virtual Complainant, Neville Alphonso (‘Neville”), is the Uncle of the Accused, Gary Anthony Gonsalves (“Gary”).

     [1.1]      At thé time of the incident, they lived together at Vincent Morris Apartments in

Hannah’s Estate in Tortola, Virgin Islands.

    [ ^l .21     They shared a bedroom, and sleep on a bunk bed.

According to the V.C. they “…usually have a good relationship and never had any issues …” until this incident.

They lived together prior to the incident for about three years… ”

[ ^l .51     On Saturday, 13^th March, 2021, Gary Was sleeping in the bedroom. Neville entered the room and turned on the lights. Gary got up and turned them off.

[1 .6]        Neville then turned them back on.

 According to the Crown’s submissions, Neville began teasing Gary, and an argument ensued and Gary punched Neville several times in the stomach, causing him to fall, and then Gary punched him some more while he was on the ground.

[ ^l .81] Neville sustained an internal injury a ruptured bowel – which necessitated surgery.

[ ¹ 09] The Indictment against the Accused that was proffered by the learned Director of Public Prosecutions contained one count of Inflicting Grevious Bodily Harm, Contrary to Section 164 of the Criminal Code 1997, as amended of the Laws of the Virgin Islands.

[l .10] Gary has, according to the Crown at page 3, paragraph 8 (v) of their submissions,

“expressed genuine remorse,”

FORMULATION OF SENTENCE

 I am required to take into account the case of Desmond Baptiste, et. Al. v R. Crimm App No. 8 of 2008 (SVG) which sets out the following principles of sentenCing:

Retribution – in recognition that punishment is intended to reflect society’s and the legislature’s abhorrence of the offence and the offender;

Deterrence – to deter potential offenders and the offender from recidivism;

Prevention aimed at preventing the offender through incarceration from offending against the law and thus protection of the society; and

 Rehabilitation – aimed at assisting the offender to reform his ways so as to become a contributing member of society.

       I am also required to apply the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court’s Sentencing Guidelines.

     [3.0]      The Guidelines – applied in Sentencing

    [3. 1 ]    Step 1 –The Seriousness of the Offence:

• First Stage:

This stage is to consider consequences by assessing the harm caused by the offence. I therefore look at the evidence which I have set out in paragraphs [1.8] and [1 .10] above.

In so doing, the inescapable conclusion is that this is a Category 1 – Highest consequence, given the physical harm suffered by the victim which resulted in surgery.

• Second Stage
  • The second stage is to consider seriousness by assessing the culpability of the offender.
  • There are none of the Level A – High elements present on the evidence of this offence.
  • Thus, I am obliged to find that this is in the Level B – Lesser category of seriousness.
• Third Stage

The third stage is to find a starting point (SP) based upon the two findings above, using the grid provided by the Guidelines.

The SP at Category 1 and Level B is 50% of the maximum sentence which, for this offence, is 5 years, with the range being between 35% and 65% of the maximum sentence. SP is therefore 2.5 years (30 months) with a range between 1.75 years

(20 months) and 3.25 years (39 months).

• Fourth Stage

Step 1

This stage requires the Court to consider the Aggravating and

Mitigating factors of the offence.

 The Aggravating Factor, on the evidence, is that this offence is likely to be considered “Domestic Violence”. There are no other aggravating factors of the offence.

 The Mitigating Factors on the evidence, are: Lack of premeditation, and it being an Isolated incident.

 I find that the Mitigating Factors far outweigh the Aggravating Factors. Accordingly, I deduct from the SP 1 month, which puts the sentence at 2 year and 4 months at this point.

Step 2

 At this stage the Court is required to assess the Aggravating and Mitigating factors of the offender.

On the evidence, there are no Aggravating Factors of the offender.

On the evidence there are the following Mitigating Factors: the offender is of previous Good Character, and he has shown genuine remorse.

I find that the Mitigating Factors outweigh the Aggravating Factors and accordingly I reduce the sentence by 1 month, so that at this point the sentence is 2 years and 3 months.

Step 5 

Credit must be given for time on Remand. The Convict was on 

remand for 21 months and 19 days. He has therefore served his 

full sentence. 

Step 6 is not applicable to this case. 

SENTENCE 

Mr. Gonsalves is sentenced to time served on Remand. 

[4.1] Further, in that circumstances, Mr. Gonsalves is fined U.S. $100.00 to be paid 

within three months, failing which he shall spend 2 days in prison. 

[4.2] 

I find that, on the facts of this case, and Mr. Gonsalves having served more time 

than the sentence imposed, that these are extenuating circumstances and, 

therefore, acting pursuant to the powers given to this Court by section 38 (c) of the 

Criminal Justice (Alternative Sentencing) Act, 2013, no conviction shall be recorded. 

Thomas W. R. Astaphan K.C. 

High Court Judge (Ag.) 

By the Court 

Registrar 

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