Appeals Court Reduces Taariq Clarke’s Sentence

April 16, 2016

The appeal lodged by Taariq Clarke has been allowed by Bermuda’s Court of Appeal, and his 7.5 year prison sentence for aggravated burglary and using a firearm has been reduced to 6 years, with the Court noting that he gave sworn testimony which led to the conviction of a co-defendant.

The Court’s ruling said, “This is an appeal by Taariq Clarke on the basis that he was sentenced by Justice Greaves to seven and a half years’ imprisonment for aggravated burglary and using a firearm to commit the offence which reflected a discount of about 35% on a sentence that would have been twelve years’ imprisonment, but for the fact that he had given assistance to the police in the shape of a caution statement that in the event ultimately led to another person being apprehended and convicted of the crime.

“It is urged on the Court that in accordance with the ordinary practice he should now be entitled to the full discount of 50%, the consequence of which would reduce the sentence of seven and a half years’ imprisonment to six years’ imprisonment, that being on the ground that he gave sworn testimony in the High Court which led to the conviction of a co-defendant.

“The appeal is accordingly allowed and the sentence of seven and a half years reduced to six years.”

The Court of Appeal’s ruling follows below [PDF here]:

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