Adventist family weeps for convicted church member

The outpouring of love and support that Glenroy Bobb received from his relatives and church family yesterday might just make his stay at Her Majesty’s Prison a little easier.

Bobb, who was convicted by a nine-member jury in June for causing the deaths of Jex ‘Lala’ Henville and Lemore ‘One Stone’ Pierre, both of {{more}}Chateaubelair, by dangerous driving, was given a one-year custodial sentence, suspended for 10 months.

This means that Bobb will only serve one more month in prison, since has been on remand since June 25 — the date of his conviction.

On January 29, 2012, Bobb was driving motor vehicle P 4760 in the direction of Kingstown, along the stretch of road in Layou approaching the Bambareaux beach gap.

He had several passengers onboard at the time, including a baby, when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the men.

In front of a packed courtroom filled with mainly members of his Questelles Seventh-Day Adventist Church family, Bobb’s counsel Ronald Marks called witnesses to speak on Bobb’s behalf.

The common-law widow of one of the deceased men told the court that Bobb was always around and usually assisted her late husband Lemore Pierre and family in whatever way he could, even after Pierre had died.

“He would pass by and ask Pierre what he need and so on. He and his wife would bring a bunch of stuff,” the woman testified.

She said Bobb has apologized for what took place on the fateful day.

Interim minister for the South Leeward district Nigel DeRoche stated that Bobb is a devoted Christian and a man who loves his family and church.

“I find him to be a very positive person. He is always willing to assist in the church and with community work,” DeRoche stated.

Bobb, who also took the stand to speak on his prison experience, said since his incarceration, he has had the opportunity to minister to inmates there.

“It is the first time in my life I have been to prison. When I went there, I told them that I am a man of God,” Bobb said.

He added that when he arrived in prison, one man told him that he would have to sleep on the floor. However, he said the kindness of another inmate allowed him to sleep on a bunk instead.

However, Bobb complained about being bitten by bed bugs while sleeping.

“Sometimes it had 17 people in one cell. It’s rough; but nothing can be done, so I prayed. The Holy Spirit was there with me. Especially when I received my Bible, I became stronger.

“It was a great experience to be a witness to prisoners. Most of them needed the Word and I took the opportunity to witness to them,” the 37-year-old father of five said.

In his mitigation, Marks said his client joined the SDA church following the accident.

“What happened in Layou really had an impact on him. People lost their lives and he was saying to himself that it could have been worse, since children were also in the vehicle,” Marks said.

The attorney said the main aggravating factor in the matter is the loss of two lives. He also added that Bobb did not see the deceased and wasn’t aware he had struck them.

According to Marks, in his 16 years of practice, there has hardly been custodial sentences for such offences.

“He had a momentary lapse in judgement. Death by dangerous driving is not prevalent in this jurisdiction,” Marks added.

He said his client has expressed remorse and asked the court consider a non-custodial sentence in the circumstances.

“If the court were to impose a custodial, Bobb will be the best candidate for a suspended one,” Marks suggested.

In handing down her sentence, Justice Kathy-Ann Latchoo said people must know that driving dangerously is a serious matter.

“If there’s no custodial, where’s the deterrent?”

As the judge was concluding her remarks, some church and family members were observed weeping — some apparently praying with their eyes closed and palms held out in front of them.

The judge stated that she did not consider that Bobb’s actions that night were on the highest end of culpability, but noted that the loss of two lives is a serious aggravating factor.

“The figures of accidents over years should remind us all that vehicles are serious weapons. When a death is caused by one of these, not only is the family affected, but society also loses something of immeasurable value.

“Despite your remorse, two lives were lost. The court has to be concerned with a general deterrent,” Justice Latchoo said.

Following the sentence, Bobb’s supporters wept openly and consoled one another outside the courtroom.

The maximum penalty for such an offence is seven years in prison.

Bob has also been disqualified from driving for four years. (KW)