Hill gets five-year sentence for attack on prison officer

A convict with a history of violence and mental-health problems was sentenced to a further five-years imprisonment yesterday for an unprovoked attack on a prison officer.

Eli Rashid Hill, 28, decided against pursuing an insanity plea, and will do the time concurrently with the six-year prison stretch he is currently serving following a knife attack on a lone woman riding her bike home in October, 2003.

Prison officer Otis Warren Phillips entered Hill's cell on March 10 last year, only to be set upon with a sharp metal object, receiving several forceful blows to his head and face.

And in a bizarre exchange with Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons in Supreme Court yesterday, Hill first apologised to Mr. Phillips for the attack, before claiming he was acting only in self-defence.

A clearly bemused Mrs. Justice Simmons questioned why he was claiming self-defence when he had already pleaded guilty to the charge of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm?

Clearly confused and unstable, Hill eventually conceded his guilt after long periods of silence.

In handing down the sentence, Mrs. Justice Simmons ordered that Hill must serve at least three years before being considered for parole.

She also said Hill must be supervised at all times while at Westgate as well as enrol in a mental health programme "to assist with his re-integration into society".

Drink driving motorists fined, banned from roads

Four motorists were each given a $1,000 fine and a 12 month driving ban when they appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Crown counsel Oonagh Vaucrossen told the court that Police spotted Clayton DeRosa, 29, of Whaling Hill, Southampton, failing to move off after a Church Street traffic light signalled green at 3.25 a.m. on January 22.

When Police asked him why he was not moving, DeRosa replied: "I know the light is green".

DeRosa's breathalyser reading was 211 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80 milligrams in 100 millilitres of blood.

Darren Pettipas, 36, of Devil's Hole, Smith's, was involved in a two vehicle accident at the junction of Front Street and Par-La-Ville Road at 9.55 p.m. on February 19.

When a sample of breath was demanded from Pettipas he fell into a deep sleep. Police could not wake him so he was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. After he awoke at 2.40 a.m. his breathalyser reading was 151 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

Edwin Eugene Dowling, 54, of Cedar Heights Lane, Warwick, was seen swerving across the centre line in a white Suzuki car on Crow Lane, Pembroke, just after 3 a.m. on February 5.

Dowling's breathalyser reading was 180 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

James Pearson, Jr., 43, of George's Bay Lane, Sandys was found in an overturned car on Middle Road, Southampton, at 10.50 p.m. on January 24.

After being removed from the car, Pearson was unable to stand without support. He was taken to KEMH to check for injuries, but when no injuries were discovered he was taken to Hamilton Police Station. Pearson refused to take a breath test, but Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner fined him $1,000 and disqualified him from driving all vehicles for 12 months.

Pembroke man fined for swearing at Police

A man who was walking down Front Street "feeling nice" before abusing Police officers was fined $1,000 in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Crown counsel Oonagh Vaucrossen told the court that at 3.20 a.m. on February 12, Ricardo Frederick Hunt, 23, of Ewing Street, Pembroke, was walking past Police, who were dealing with a traffic offence, when swore at them.

When questioned on February 27, Hunt did not remember saying anything ? he said he was too drunk.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner asked Hunt why he interfered with Police.

"I don't know," Hunt replied. "I was feeling nice".

Mr. Warner told Hunt to pay his fine today.

"That will teach you to mind your own business," Mr. Warner said.