Latest update December 23rd, 2024 3:40 AM
Hammer attacker gets eight years
FAREEZA HANIFF in the Virgin Islands
Guyanese national, Vernon Anthony Paddy was sentenced to eight years imprisonment by High Court Judge, Justice Indra Hariprashad–Charles, after he pleaded guilty to attacking his wife, Deslyn Paddy, with a 14-inch hammer.
The 48-year– old man was initially charged with attempted murder, but the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), lowered the charge to causing grievous bodily harm.
Vernon Anthony Paddy
“This is an unfortunate case of domestic violence. Crime of moral fortitude causes far more pain than bruises and scars. We will have to stamp out domestic violence in this society,” the Judge said before sentencing Paddy to eight years at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) on Friday.
Justice Charles also ordered that Paddy pay a total of $5,161 in compensation to his wife within six months and if he is in default of this order, he will spend an additional twelve months in prison.
The Judge also used 14 years as a benchmark in handing down her sentence. “The case calls for a stiff penalty. When a woman doesn’t want you anymore, go on and move on with your life,” Justice Charles told the court.
Paddy was represented by Attorney-at-Law Patrick Thompson from McW Todman and Co. Law Firm while the Prosecution was represented by Crown Counsel, Jude Hanley.
During his plea mitigation hearing earlier last month, Paddy stood up in the High Court and apologized to his wife, who was present in court.
“I apologize to the victim and her family and my family and friends. I was provoked by anger and during my provocations; anger took the better part of me. I lost balance and focus with what was going on and for that I have to pay with the rest of my life. I have four sons…if I’m given the opportunity to be there for them, I will be there to ensure they don’t walk in my footsteps,” Paddy had said.
Paddy is a former BVI Airports Authority security guard and was once a member of the Guyana Defence Force. He and his wife have been married for nine years, prior to the incident which occurred on May 25, 2010.
The attack caused the victim to spend a total of eight days at the Peebles Hospital.
The man’s lawyer recently informed the court that his client has been residing in the BVI since 1998 without any convictions being levied against him for the past 13 years.
As it relates to the victim’s injuries, the lawyer explained that the police medical examination form confirms that there is no evidence indicating that the victim sustained any skull fractures or any fractures to her head.
On May 25, 2010 around 10:15 p.m., Inspector Jones telephoned the Road Town Police Station stating that he had Paddy in custody at his [Jones] home for beating his wife with a hammer.
When officers arrived on the scene about 10:23 p.m. they saw Paddy sitting on a rock. When investigating officer Fraser told Paddy about the report, he responded, “Fraser you know what is frustration?”
When officers met Mrs. Paddy inside the couple´s apartment, she was wearing a white tights and a green towel covering her lower body with what appeared to be blood running down her face, leg and right hand.
Mrs. Paddy was crying at the time and stated that she was in pain. The officer also noticed that the woman´s right leg and jaw were swollen.
Mrs. Paddy told police that she and her husband had an argument because of a phone call she received earlier that night. She said that her husband had threatened her all week.
She also told police that her husband then left the bedroom and returned with his right hand behind his back. He then approached her and started to hit her about her body and face with a hammer.
According the prosecution, Mrs. Paddy then managed to escape through the back door where she was rescued by Inspector Jones.
At the scene, Officers observed a pool of blood at the stairway and door. Police officers also found a 14-inch hammer on the ground.
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