Patrick Green, 33, was initially sentenced to a total of 499 years in prison after he pleaded guilty in the Clarendon Circuit Court in December 2014 to eight counts of rape, eight counts of illegal possession of firearm, five counts of robbery with aggravation and two counts of grievous sexual assault.
In addition to his sentence for rape, Justice Sarah Thompson James, who presided over the case, ordered that Green should serve 10 years for each count of illegal possession of firearm.
For the offence of rape, the judges explained that they started at a sentence of 28 years on each count, instead of the 38 imposed by Thompson James, then subtracted a 30 per cent discount for Green’s guilty plea.
Carolyn Hay, the attorney who represented Green before the Court of Appeal, acknowledged the seriousness of his crimes, but argued that the sentences imposed by Thompson James were “manifestly excessive” when compared with similar cases adjudicated in the local courts.
The panel of Appeal Court judges, in their decision, said it seem “clear” from Thompson James’ remarks during the sentencing hearing that she did not utilise a methodical approach to determine Green’s punishment, and that not much consideration was given to the possibility of rehabilitation.
