Three Years’ Probation for Lay Preacher

Details

police

Friday, 08 March 2013 02:30

By Nicole Shirley

Antigua St. John's - St Claire Archibald, who pleaded guilty to serious indecency, was placed on three years’ probation when he appeared in the High Court before Chief Justice Keith Thom.

The lay preacher, accused of committing the offensive act against a 14-year-old girl, was placed on remand days before the judge’s ruling.

Before the pronouncement, the mother of the complainant made a passionate plea to the court for mercy.

“Everyone has erred, and in my case I have erred a lot, and without the grace of God I don’t know what would have happened with me and my two daughters, who are without an earthly father,” she said. “I believe Mr Archibald has paid the price, and I know that any judgement which the court would set on him, cannot equate to what he has already been through. I am very close to one of his daughters, and she is suffering immensely, and I think depriving her of her father would not be true justice. I have forgiven him and so has my daughter.”

She added that at first, her daughter was shaken by the incident, but with the help of the church and close friends, she has overcome the ordeal, and is mainly concerned about the man’s daughter, who is her friend.

Attorney for the accused man, Steadroy “Cutie”  Benjamin, in offering mitigating factors, told the court that Archibald is a shadow of his former self, and said the experience has taken a toll on his physical appearance.

Benjamin also said that his client’s 11-year-old daughter, who previously lived with her father and brother in a one-bedroom apartment, now stays with her mother.

In addressing the court, Archibald, who was remanded last week to get a feel of prison life, spoke of his experience.

LIME Brings Christmas Blessings to Unsung Heroes Antigua St. John's - LIME, Antigua and Barbuda’s best-value network, delivered on the promise it made to honour 10 unsung heroes when it launched it... read more

He said, “It is a very difficult place to be in, but it gives you an opportunity to reflect on the past and make conscious decisions. I had to sleep on the floor, with only a mat. The floor is very hard and cold. Food is limited, you don’t have a choice. You just have to take things as they come. You have to listen to all kinds of conversations, swearing, and have to work real hard to keep your mind.”

Justice Thom told him, “You were sent there for you to see where the path you embarked on can lead to.”

Archibald continued, “Home is a place of comfort, you have better living conditions, you are able to prepare your meals when you want, and prepare what you want. You have your friends and family. In prison you are alone.”

He told the court he would not like to be in any place like that again, and said, “I regret the whole matter and I do not intend for this to happen to me again.”

In light of the position of the victim and her mother, coupled with the strong support of the church, which was evident in court, and other mitigating factors, Archibald was placed on three years’ probation and ordered to get counselling, to be arranged by the probation board. The chief justice also requested a report every six months.

If Archibald breaches the conditions of his probation, he will be brought back to be sentenced for this crime, and will stand trial for the additional offence.

• < Prev
• Next >