Woman gives birth in custody - Baby saves mom from judge’s wrath

The coos and gurgles of a two-month-old baby boy swayed a senior parish judge from sending a mother of four to prison.

The child's mother, Nakesha Dingwall, found out she was pregnant while in custody, having been charged with larceny as a servant. She spent the last 10 months behind bars, during which time she gave birth to the child.

A weeping Dingwall in the prisoner's dock in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court yesterday begged Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque for mercy.

Dingwall, who was employed as a cashier, pleaded guilty to stealing $1,250,000 from her employer between December 18 and 24 last year. Although she was offered bail, Dingwall could not take it up, and neither was she able to make restitution.

In her plea for mercy, Dingwall penned a letter to the judge seeking leniency.

"I will never repeat my mistakes, my children are at a vulnerable state," the letter read.

The judge, in sentencing Dingwall, said her giving birth while in custody was "enough punishment". She was also moved by the fact that Dingwall's children were displaced due to the situation and have to be living with their relatives.

"I have considered that while in custody, you have given birth and that you have spent most of your pregnancy in custody. I think that is enough punishment, and the fact that the child has to be here today, in this dirty courtroom, that, as well, is punishment," Cole-Montaque expressed.

"I have read your letter and I have sensed some sincerity. The greatest mitigation is the two-month-old baby boy," the senior jurist expressed, taking into account Dingwall's intention to start a small business should she be released from the South Camp Correctional Facility in Kingston.

On each of the six counts of larceny as a servant, Dingwall was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment at hard labour, suspended for two years with supervision.