From the Courts
May 15, 2009

Private Squeeze

A naked intruder, who had his penis squeezed by a woman after breaking into her house, was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment last Thursday, May 7th, 2009, at the High Court in Kingstown.{{more}}

Hazron Shallow, 20, had a sudden change of heart and changed his plea to guilty after the woman finished giving her evidence. He pleaded guilty to Aggravated Burglary and Wounding with Intent. He was slapped with 15-year prison sentences on each count. However, the sentences will run concurrently.

On the day in question, the victim said that she had secured her home and had gone on a church picnic. When she returned home at about 7:30 pm, she secured the house and went to bed.

During the night, she said she felt someone choking her. The woman began to wrestle with the person, whom she observed was a naked man with a t-shirt tied around his head and covering his face. During the struggle, the woman managed to grab onto the man’s penis and squeeze it. The brave young woman even managed to pull the t-shirt away from his face. It was then she realized he was someone she knew very well.

Even when Shallow kicked the woman in her abdomen and stabbed her under her eye with a knife, she still held onto his penis. Shallow demanded the woman release him, but she told him she would only do so if he let her go. Shallow eventually ran away and the woman ran into the main road where neighbours assisted her. She was subsequently taken to the clinic and later reported the matter to the police.

Shallow, who was unrepresented by counsel, was given the opportunity to question the woman but he declined. The matter was adjourned for a short break and upon recommencement, Shallow pleaded guilty. Justice Bruce-Lyle then directed the Jury to return a formal verdict of guilty.

Commenting on the case, Justice Bruce-Lyle said, “It if me, I would have torn it off!”

In 2005, Shallow was convicted of Manslaughter and was placed on a three-year bond, which he broke by committing the current offences. As a result, he was ordered to pay $1,000 for breaking the bond or he risks spending a further three years behind bars if he fails to comply. The sentence will run consecutively to the 15-year custodial sentence.(KW)