Woman begs judge not to imprison man who beat her

A woman who was beaten up by her babyfather yesterday begged the judge not to send him to prison as he is the primary caregiver of their child.

Herman Robinson pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm yesterday in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court and was initially sentenced to 12 months imprisonment at hard labour. However, Chief Parish Judge Chester Crooks reversed his decision later in the day after he saw the despondent looking complainant in the courtroom about two hours after the sentence was handed down and enquired why she was still there.

She told the judge that she was wondering if Robinson could be freed, as he is the primary caregiver of their child. Luckily, Robinson was still in the holding cell inside the courtroom.

Crooks reversed his earlier sentence and imposed a new sentence of 12 months imprisonment at hard labour, suspended for two years. A fingerprint order and a supervision order were imposed and Robinson was told to receive help for his anger management.

Gone to prison for 12 months

"I don't know what happen on that day but look at it this way, you could've gone to prison for 12 months, but for the fact that she sit down there and wait and beg for you. Not only that, you have a daughter. You can't tell me that when your daughter gets older and a man puts them hands on her, don't you would want to defend it? So don't do that to the mother of your child. If the relationship not working out just walk way. And remember today more than any other day," the judge told Robinson.

The Kingston man was arrested on allegations that on May 16, he and the complainant were at home when they got in an argument. It is reported that Robinson told her that he was "going to f*** her up", and he then started beating her all over her body causing her to sustain injuries to her face, head, neck, shoulders and knees.

The court heard that Robinson and the complainant share a two-year-old daughter and that they are still in a relationship. The complainant told the judge that it was the first time Robinson had laid hands on her.

Crooks said that domestic violence is a serious matter affecting the society and stressed that the court has a major role to play in dealing with the problem.

"You don't watch the news to see these types of incidents. You know what people say to things like that? 'The police nuh do nothing bout it. The court nuh do nothing bout it' and it has to stop," the judge stressed. Robinson, meanwhile, apologised to the complainant for his actions.

"The behaviour weh me did display to you was very inappropriate and I never quite mean it like that. It was a misunderstanding and I'm very sorry. Please accept my apology," the 24-year-old man said.