Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Violence against women is never  to be condoned…! – Justice Cottle
Uroy “Muffin” Edwards
From the Courts
August 6, 2019

Violence against women is never to be condoned…! – Justice Cottle

“This court must emphasize that women are not chattels. Violence towards them is never to be condoned or excused.”

Justice Brian Cottle made this clear during the sentencing of Uroy “Muffin” Edwards, who chased after his girlfriend into her relative’s house, forcing his way inside with a scissors.

The Justice made his statement after observing that “the genesis of the altercation appears to have been jealousy, on the part of the prisoner for suspected infidelity.”

Crown counsel Rose-Ann Richardson, and defense attorney Shirlan “Zita” Barnwell representing Edwards (assisting the court), made submissions to the Justice before sentencing, and the court’s remarks would have been made on the foundation of information from them both.

Edwards pleaded guilty to the offence of aggravated burglary just before his trial was about to commence, and so it was established that on December 3, 2016, one Samuel James was at his home when he heard noises outside. Looking outside of the glass sliding door, he saw his step daughter, who was crouching, and who appeared to be hiding from someone.

She called to James to let her in, and he opened the door for her to run in, but before he could close it, Edwards appeared.

Both James and another occupant of the house tried to stop Edwards. James, who was by the door, tried to block Edwards from entering, but the invader threatened to stab him, and forced his way past him. Another occupant of the house demanded that Edwards leave, but he refused.

The angry Edwards, who was 29 years old at the time, apparently told those persons that he was looking for his girlfriend in order to give her “her share”.

Edwards found his girlfriend and dragged her outside, where it is alleged that he committed acts of violence against her.

In mitigation, Barnwell informed that her client was 32 years now, and came from a large family of nine. He is the sole breadwinner of his family, and she was told by Edwards that his mother is suffering from breast cancer.

“Mr Edwards, when he was 15 years old, witnessed the brutal chopping of his father, and his father subsequently died from the injuries at the hospital. He explained at the time he felt helpless,” and had been living with this trauma since, Barnwell explained.

She informed that her client and James are far from strangers, and the home was one frequented by Edwards. Barnwell indicated that it was unfortunate that, because of a domestic issue, Edwards should have lost control of his temper then.

She commented that although maturity in terms of age is considered during sentencing, that she would like to bring up the issue of emotional maturity, and the “inability to resolve conflict.”

“The reason why I raise it in this particular circumstance is the nature of the offence,” which is domestic, she said, and continued, “it is something that we deal with every day in our communities, and recognize why it is that men sometimes lose their temper and respond in violent ways when it is that they have issues dealing with romantic relationships.”

“We are socialized in a way that men are not taught how to deal with conflict, and to use power and force, sadly to resolve…it doesn’t resolve the conflict at all,” the lawyer reasoned.

She ended by noting that her client is not charged with assaulting anyone.

However, the court found it aggravating that the “genesis” of the breaking and entering with scissors, was jealousy. It also found it aggravating that it was forced entry into a dwelling place at night, that burglar was armed with a weapon that he threatened to use, and that he abducted a female in the house.

Cottle noted that Edwards had already spent a six month stint behind bars for wounding. “What is clear is that this prisoner has not learnt his lesson about the need to abjure violence as a means of conflict resolution,” he commented. However, Barnwell had earlier argued that this was conviction was spent, and Cottle indicated he would consider Edwards a first time offender.

For reason of no previous convictions, two years were taken away from the starting sentence of ten years.

With the discount for the guilty plea being applied, Edward’s final sentence was five years, and three months.

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Front Page
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    FAMILY MEMBERS of a woman who was killed at Long Wall say they suspect their relative was hacked by a person they all know very well. On Tuesday, Sept...
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Front Page
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE IDEA THAT HOUSING is a right, that every Vincentian has a right to safe and secure housing, and that the government has a role to play in ensuring...
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Front Page
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A POLICE OFFICER, who allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend 26 times about her body was remanded even as his lawyer argued that the Royal St Vincent and...
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Front Page
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A NEW UNITY LABOUR PARTY ADMINISTRATION will be rolling out an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to embrace its positives and guard against the nega...
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Front Page
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 9,2025 was a memorable day for the staff and students of the Sandy Bay Secondary School, which was marking its 20th anniversary wi...
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    News
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    NON- NATIONALS ARE being hired to fill several jobs in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) simply because locals did not have the required skill sets....
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    News
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Montgomery Daniel has sought to clear around rumours that have been circulating relating to his health. Speaking on NBC radio on...
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    News
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    The GOVERNMENT of St Vincent and the Grenadines is set to sign agreements for tourism investment of $1.3 billion on mainland St.Vincent. On Monday, Se...
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    From the Courts, News
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A BARROUALLIE MAN will be sentenced next week after pleading guilty to being in illegal possession of a firearm and eight rounds of ammunition. Demron...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok