Inmate’s appeal against his sentences turned back
Westgate inmate Roger Lightbourne Jr has seen his appeal against his jail sentences turned down.However, Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons set aside a probation order that would have taken effect upon his release.In February, Lightbourne, now 21, pleaded guilty and was sentenced in Magistrates’ Court to 18 months’ imprisonment for taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, concurrent with nine months in jail for perverting the course of justice.The term of imprisonment was to be followed by two years’ probation.Lightbourne was found later guilty of a March 8 assault against a corrections officer.In May, a Magistrate jailed him for a further 30 days for the assault, plus an extra 12 months for committing the offence in the increased penalty zone of Westgate.Defence lawyer Craig Attridge sought to have Lightbourne’s 18 months for taking a vehicle reduced to six months, and to have the increased penalty zone imprisonment term quashed entirely.Arguing that his client wished to return to studies in the UK as soon as possible upon his release, Mr Attridge also argued against the term of probation.Justice Simmons agreed to set aside the probation order but ruled that Lightbourne’s other sentences must stand.