Man Receives Seven Year Sentence For Attack

October 4, 2013

[Updated with video] Four of the five young men involved in the August 4th, 2012 attack and robbery on a man in Rambling Lane Pembroke are currently being sentenced in Supreme Court after entering pleas of guilty before their jury trial started. The fifth, an under sixteen teenager, has already been sentenced in Juvenile Court. His name cannot be published.

The victim who still suffers from headaches, memory loss, has speech difficulties and had to be flown out to an overseas hospital for specialist care not available in Bermuda. The victim was set upon by a gang of up to six persons. He was beaten with a 2 x 6 piece of lumber, hit with a bottle, and kicked and robbed of his gold chain, bracelet, and earrings while his ten year-old son looked on.

In his victim impact statement, the man said that as a result of this criminal act, he had sent his two Bermuda-born Bermudian sons, 11 and 5, to live overseas and neither son showed any desire to return to live in Bermuda.

Sergio Robinson-Woolridge leaving court after sentencing:

In Supreme Court this afternoon, Justice Charles-Etta Simmons heard DPP Prosecutor Susan Mulligan ask for sentences of 8 – 10 years for Sergio Robinson-Woolridge, 21 now but 20 at the time of the attack and said to be the ‘boss’ who had ordered and participated in the attack; 6 – 8 years each for Kyle Daniels-Smith and Sanchea Douglas, both now 18 but each 17 at the time and involved in the beating and robbery; and 3 – 5 years for Judah Roberts, 17, whose conviction is solely for causing grievous bodily harm.

The Crown pointed out that maximum sentences were 20 years for this kind of robbery and 10 years for causing bodily harm.

After having started earlier this week and going through two adjournments over two days, this third sentencing session finally got underway at 2:30pm today.

After hearing the Crown’s submission and recommendations, Justice Simmons took a short adjournment and then re-started with the sentencing of Sergio Robinson-Woolridge.

At the time of the August 2012 offence, Robinson-Woolridge was on Court bail and was wearing an Electronic Monitoring Device. This was as a result of a previous offence for which he was later jailed on conviction.

Lawyer Elizabeth Christopher asked for a shorter sentence for Robinson-Woolridge saying that although he was currently serving a prison sentence, he should be treated as a person who had never before been to prison as he had not been to prison at the time of the August 2012 offence and thus prison and its programs had not yet had a chance to work positively on him.

Ms Christopher suggests that an appropriate sentence for Robinson-Woolridge for the offence of robbery would be 3 – 5 years.

Speaking from the dock, Robinson-Woolridge said that since he’d been incarcerated he had time to think and he admitted that he had played a role in the robbery. He told the Justice that on his release he would lead a productive life.

At 5:45pm today [Oct 4], Justice Simmons judgment was that Robinson-Woolridge must serve a sentence of seven years with this sentence to be concurrent with the prison sentence imposed for a wounding conviction and handed down in 2012.

The three remaining, and their lawyers, must return on Monday to continue the sentencing.

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  1. Three Men Sentenced For Gang Attack | Bernews.com | October 8, 2013
  1. Sandy Bottom says:

    So he got 5 years for his other crime, and 7 years for this, but they run concurrently? What sense does that make? He smashed in this guy’s skull, and got two years for it.

    A moronic sentence.

    How do we improve the quality of judges? This type of thing happens all the time. We need to be protected from violent criminals like this.

    • James Rego says:

      We need to be protected from these judges!

    • Moojun says:

      “Lawyer Elizabeth Christopher asked for a shorter sentence for Robinson-Woolridge saying that although he was currently serving a prison sentence, he should be treated as a person who had never before been to prison as he had not been to prison at the time of the August 2012 offence and thus prison and its programs had not yet had a chance to work positively on him.”

      If a weekly worded defence like this does not instil fear into every right-minded Bermudian left on this island, then we are truly in trouble.

      • Moojun says:

        *weakly*

        • Moojun says:

          Then again, given the way things are going here, maybe “weekly” is more apt after all…

      • Raymond Ray says:

        I also agree with you. How could any Judge give a man like this man, a sentence to run concurrently with a sentence he in now serving?
        If we are to see”Justice” then this mans sentence should be consecutive. When coming up we heard said, (as a figure of speak) “they are getting a way with murder” Today when we say that, it is no-longer a figure of speech but literally. (Why not appeal this case on the bases of inadequate time handed out?)Please Susan Mulligan do what’s right and appeal this sentence!

    • Whistling Frog says:

      Why don’t the Prosecutor ask for the maximum time in these cases? Our justice system is shyt and laws need to be changed now… effyouseekay momma’s boys…

  2. Family Man says:

    Concurrent sentences should be banned.

  3. Agreed this is nonsense. Another slap on the wrist for a gang member.

  4. Not Enough says:

    Until we (Bermudians) stand up and DEMAND justice in our courts, changes in sentencing laws, accountability of judges and AG then this will continue to be the case!! The SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS OILED!!!!!

    Unite Bermuda take a stand!!!

  5. mike says:

    look 2weeks ago they gave adam king 6years for killing somebody the judges need to wake up before people start taking things in the own hands live and learn bermuda

  6. Karma says:

    The ‘under -16′ defendant cannot be named? He committed the same crime…he SHOULD be named! If he’s doing this at 16, what other delights should we expect from him at 21, 25, 40?

    Name them and shame them!

  7. Karma says:

    Oh, as an afterthought…these sentences were WAY too lenient, by the way.

  8. duh says:

    Lol follow the money….

  9. Nuffin but da Truth says:

    I bet Elizabeth Christopher would be SCREAMING for LIFE if it was her or any of her family and friends.
    These lawyers are a sick bunch.

  10. Not Enough says:

    I cannot believe Bermudians and residents are not up in arms over this judges ruling!!! Sorry but this sentence is ridiculous and the Justice should be REMOVED for her position!!!! The AG’s office should be ashamed of themselves for bringing this charge against this animal!!!

    What are WE (law abiding citizens) waiting for???? It is time to REACT VOCALLY, DEMONSTRATE & DEMAND better sentences, laws and prosecution from OUR high paid elected and legal officials!!!!

    The victims life has been altered forever!! Why???? Because this MENANCE TO SOCIETY decides he wants to show off for his mates????

    If WE do NOT DEMAND GREAT JUSTICE FOR THESE TYPES OF CRIMES WE will ALL suffer the effects – DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY!!!!!!!!!

    Wake up folks!!!!!

  11. enough says:

    I will have to look but I can’t imagine people getting concurrent sentences for separate offenses at separate court trials, elsewhere in the world. I guess it must happen or someone from the Crown would object…maybe?

  12. Baffled says:

    7yrs for beating up somebody,which I agree is reasonable punishment,but the other day somebody got 6 yrs for killing someone.Makes no sense. Just don’t understand this system. Hmmm

  13. Tolerate says:

    @enough, this was my thought as well. Is there some (un)written law that states if you are currently incarcerated and go to court, any further sentencing has to be concurrent with your existing sentence? I know this sounds dumb, but it happens all the time. Why can’t a sentence for an unrelated case to the one a person is currently serving time not be treated separately and added to their existing time in prison, i.e. run consecutively.
    Nice to see the prison service has woke up on hand-cuffing behind the back. No middle finger, gang gestures or ease of running off. Hell, this way when they bolt you simple need to trip em on their face. Sure the officers find this better. Question; why so long and what pushed the change?

  14. Not Enough says:

    It’s ridiculous how can a “ringleader” get a sentence to RUN CONCURRENTLY when the victims life changed for the worst??? How could the AG’s office be so lenient with there charge??? This attack was BRUTAL & LIFE-CHANGING!!!! The VICTIMS children WITNESSED this UNPROVOKED ATTACK and are now separated from their land of birth as well as their father. What was she (the judge) thinking?????

    People come off your tablets, smartphones, computers and laptops to raise your voices!!!!! I do not know the victim but I do know there are way too MANY young boys growing up without their fathers guidance!!!!

    WE have to stop these sentences from repeating!!!
    WE have to change the laws of OUR homeland!!!
    WE have to hold the LEGAL FRATERNITY ACCOUNTABLE!!!!!!
    WE have to PROTECT OUR citizens from THUGS who know the system and laws who turn and MOCK the very fiber of OUR CULTURE! !!!!

    • Raymond Ray says:

      Where can I,(and my family) sign the petition so we may change the sentencing system in our Courts ?

  15. longtail says:

    Obviously the courts had already come to the conclusion that this thug could was a danger as he was wearing an Electronic Monitoring Device at the time of this further offense… he should get double time under these circumstances and NOT what represents over a 70% reduction in time to be served!!!! And for another offense – throw away the key. Enough is enough, Bermudians deserve better than this from their courts!!!

  16. Stantheman says:

    Well the problem isn’t the criminals. It’s the environment we live in and the limited opportunities which are available to these young “black” men. The white forebearers of this country and there lineage to date have perpetuated this by there inability to engage in wealth building and education with any race but there own. In most cases that is. They have majority of the economic pie in Bermuda and therefore hold serve. They will never relinquish control or even attempt to create a system which is just and fair to all. So there is no mystery why approx. 98 percent of prison inmates are black. Plain and simple friends.

  17. Fed up says:

    Our legal system is a joke and pretty soon Bermudians WILL start to take the law into their own hands!

  18. Legal Eagle says:

    As a result of absurd sentences like this, it’s not only the public, but even the criminals that have no respect or fear of consequences! It’s the current JUDGES and DPP (who doesn’t Appeal) who are bringing our Justice System into disrepute!! If they continue, public safety will only get worse–+people will feel they have no choice but to resort to self help remedies–as if that is not happening already!! The problem is the Judges are not accountable–so BDA urgently needs a Judicial Council to weed out the bad ones!! The DPP is only accountable to the Governor who has the power to not renew his contract–and the current DPP’s contract should NOT be renewed if this sentence and other absurd Judicial antics are not Appealed! But sadly, none of this will happen –without considerable PUBLIC PRESSURE and OUTCRY!!

  19. Saddened says:

    The sad part is that he will do one third of his sentence or just over two years. He waited already almost two years so he will be out in 3 months. Time served counts. So he can now plan to see Valentines Day 2014 as a free man.

  20. DUKE says:

    Stay up fam! Love u like life bra kno dat!!!!!!!!

  21. d.o. says:

    What a f**** joke. 70 years wouldn’t be long enough for these animals. And without the possibility of pardon or parole. These judges need to take the bull by the horns, they need to demand stronger powers as do we the public. A FULL REVIEW IS NEEDED.

  22. d.o. says:

    What a f**** joke. 70 years wouldn’t be long enough for these animals. And without the possibility of pardon or parole. These judges need to take the bull by the horns, they need to demand stronger powers as do we the public. A FULL REVIEW IS NEEDED. While he is spending his time he and others could start building cell block X. How long would this a** last in the Black Dolphin Siberia. DO the ctime then DO THE TIME

  23. Ignorant says:

    Neiter of YOU have a clue of what exactly you’re trying to state… Please keep your ignorant comments and opinions to yourself. What you read is not always accurate. You should already know that by now. Do any of you have anything better to do? Get a life.

  24. useless lot says:

    That Sergio fellow becomes very repentant every time he’s caught and brought to trial for the exact same thing. Chuck him in a cell and let him rot, useless soul

  25. Judge & Jury says:

    Stay tuned, the other thugs got 4 years today and will spend more time in jail than Sergio, who will probably be out soon on parole. Concurrent sentences are a joke. The thugs are laughing at us.

  26. Winnie Dread says:

    I guess you have to go to prison so the prison programs can work on you, so you can be positive, smdh. How we take these inmundicia in the courts all the time escapes me. So many of the people on the benches seems to be out of touch with reality it’s scary.