Desmond Alexander’s sentence reduced

The man who chopped off his ex-girlfriend’s fingers and left her with permanent facial disfigurement in a vicious cutlass attack had his eight-year prison sentence reduced to six years last week.{{more}}

Desmond Alexander had his appeal against sentence upheld on Tuesday, October 6, after appearing before the OECS Court of Appeal at the High Court in Kingstown.

The former Cedars resident had pleaded guilty in June 2007 to wounding his then girlfriend Monique Thompson on August 16, 2006. Thompson sustained several injuries about her body.

In his appeal, Alexander argued that his sentence should be commuted to a suspended prison sentence because of his remorse and the fact that he is willing to pay compensation to Thompson.

Alexander explained to the court that there were aggravating factors in the case and said he himself sustained five stabs wounds from Thompson during the incident.

When asked if he had to pay compensation how he would pay, Alexander said that he was the owner of a minibus and could pay the money.

Director of Public Prosecutions Colin Williams said that the appellant pleaded guilty to a charge that carries a maximum of life imprisonment. Williams also noted that the attempted murder charge that was also brought against him was dismissed.

The Appeal Court judges told Alexander that he was extremely fortunate that he was not facing them on a murder charge instead.

After hearing the arguments, the court reduced the appellant’s sentence.(KW)