High Court Imposes Lengthy Sentences

BASSETERRE:  The High Court of Justice, Saint Christopher Circuit, today handed down sentences in two serious criminal matters involving violent offences, following convictions earlier this year.

In Case SKBHCR 2024/0018, Justice Iain Morley KC sentenced Shakeim Cranston, also known as “Shaq” and “Little Nuzzle,” to 63 years’ imprisonment for the murder of Darnell Govia, which occurred on 20 June 2017.

Mr. Cranston was convicted by a unanimous jury verdict after trial. The Court found that the killing was wholly premeditated, carried out with a firearm, and occurred in a public hospital setting, placing members of the public at risk. Evidence before the Court included extensive CCTV footage, forensic findings, and eyewitness testimony.

In sentencing, the Court identified multiple aggravating factors, including the use of a firearm, the public location, the calculated nature of the offence, and the fact that the murder was committed while the defendant was on bail for a previous firearm offence. The Court noted there was no formal mitigation, no admission of responsibility, and no expression of remorse.

Time spent on remand since June 2017 will count toward the sentence, and the defendant will be eligible for statutory remission for good behaviour in accordance with prison regulations.

In a separate matter, Case SKBHCR 2023/0041, the Court sentenced Divon Trotman to 22.5 years’ imprisonment and Dijon Trotman to 21.5 years’ imprisonment for the offence of wounding with intent to murder.

The brothers were convicted following a lengthy trial relating to a coordinated and sustained attack on Keon Fyfield on 7 March 2021. The Court found that the defendants jointly attacked the victim using a knife and a concrete block, inflicting multiple severe head injuries, including stab wounds penetrating the skull.

Although Mr. Fyfield later died in hospital, the murder charge was withdrawn after the Crown could not establish causation beyond reasonable doubt due to intervening medical issues. The Court nevertheless characterised the offence as a particularly grave example of attempted murder, involving weapons, multiple blows, and efforts to conceal evidence.

In determining the sentence, the Court considered the seriousness of the offence, the coordinated nature of the attack, and the individual circumstances of each defendant. Time spent on remand will be credited, and both defendants are eligible for statutory remission for good behaviour.

Justice Morley emphasised in both matters the importance of deterrence, public protection, and denunciation of serious violent crime.