Judge sends strong message to abusers

– Matthew gets 5 years in prison

(BVI Platinum News) – “What you have done is totally wrong and you told the officer that it was a crime passion and that you didn´t mind going to jail. Well that is where I am going to send you today, to jail. You are sentenced to five years in prison,” High Court Judge Indra Hariprashad-Charles told Ovel Matthew who was charged with beating his Guyanese girlfriend unconscious in public last April.

Yesterday afternoon, Matthew 25, who pleaded guilty to the charges was sentenced to five years in prison for causing grievous bodily harm and for damaging property he was ordered to repay $7,780 within three months.

If the monies are not paid on time, he will have to spend another year in addition to the five-year sentence. The time spent on remand will be taken into consideration. He was arrested on the day of the offence.

Matthew who hails from Dominica was represented by Lawyer Herbert McKenzie.

In handing down her sentence, the judge expressed concern over the issue of domestic violence, stating that it is a known fact that it causes far more pain that the visible marks and bruises on the victim.

She noted that the courts must send a strong message to offenders. “It´s a crime that plagues our society and the court must take it seriously. I have looked at the mitigating factors. He has been remorseful, but the pain will remain with her (victim).”

The judge said Matthew´s excuse that his mother had eight children and was not showing him enough love is not enough, since he should not be blaming anyone, rather he should try and live a crime-free life.

“He didn´t own her (victim). Say you love someone and then beat that person and could he got have killed her, that is a strange way you love,” Justice Hariprashad-Charles told Matthew.

Initially, Matthew was charged with attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm, attempting to choke, two counts of criminal damage and two counts of reckless and negligent act.

According to police, Matthew beat his girlfriend Savitree Ramphal, 26, unconscious on the public road in the Duff’s Bottom area and he then told them that it was a crime of passion.

The argument had reportedly stemmed from Matthew accusing her of cheating on him.

The woman had suffered severe injuries and was hospitalized.

Matthew had told the Police that he was sorry for what he did and that he loves the complainant.