‘No remorse’ - Justice slams Matthew Hyde for torture of ex-girlfriend

"An act of inhumanity." That's how Justice Carolyn Tie described the gruesome torture inflicted by Matthew Hyde on his ex-girlfriend in a case that shocked the nation.

Over the course of three torturous days in February 2023, Hyde, just 22 years old, turned his dorm room at The University of the West Indies, Mona, into a house of horrors. Holding his victim captive, he unleashed boiling water on her body, burning her skin with calculated precision, and struck her with a kettle. Hyde's cruelty knew no bounds as he targeted the most sensitive areas of her body - her legs, back, and buttocks - deliberately causing her the maximum amount of agony.

Justice Tie yesterday blasted Hyde's actions, condemning him for his "a complete lack of regard for human life". She sentenced him to 13 years and nine months' imprisonment for his actions.

The ordeal began with a heated argument that spiralled violently out of control. Hyde hit his victim with a kettle, shattering it before repeatedly boiling water to pour over her. She begged for mercy, but he coldly ignored her pleas and trapped her in the room for three days.

Justice Tie noted the sadistic nature of the act, adding that the victim was "denied medical attention and left to endure unbearable pain".

Despite a submission by Hyde's attorney, Patrick Peterkin, that he was remorseful, Tie questioned the sincerity of his apologies.

"The expressions of remorse came only after the matter had been brought before the court. At the time of his arrest, he showed no signs of regret and displayed a callous indifference to her suffering," she said further noting that family members and social reports revealed he was callous and unemotional after the incident.

The victim, now scarred both physically and emotionally, has struggled with the trauma ever since. The court heard harrowing details of her pain, including a suicide attempt in the aftermath of the attack. Her mother had to quit her job to care for her, and her father lost his job as a result of the toll the attack took on their family.

The court learned that the victim requires extensive therapy, costing $90,000 per session, and may also need plastic surgery. Justice Tie acknowledged the $2 million restitution Hyde paid but said it was "not a substantial sum in the context of the damage done, both physically and psychologically".

At the time of the attack, Hyde was a second-year university student. While his clean criminal record, youth, and psychiatric history were presented as mitigating factors, Tie noted that he was "old enough to know better" and emphasised that his actions were deliberate.

"This was not a rash decision or a moment of uncontrolled anger. He took the time to boil water multiple times to cause harm," she pointed out.

Hyde's psychiatric evaluation revealed he suffers from depressive and borderline personality disorders, stemming from an abusive childhood. However, the psychiatrist found that he did not suffer from any mental abnormality at the time of the offence.

Justice Tie stressed, "The accused's mental health issues cannot excuse or justify the cruelty inflicted upon the complainant."