Lawyer proposes 4-year sentence for university student accused of kidnapping, torturing girlfriend

The lawyer for Matthew Hyde, the university student who held his then girlfriend captive in a dorm room and tortured her in 2023, has proposed that he be given a sentence of no more than four years.

The sentencing hearing is to continue on December 9, when the prosecution will respond to the authorities cited by the defence.

Attorney-at-law Patrick Peterkin has asked Justice Carolyn Tie Powell to consider a sentence of between three and four years.

The lawyer in a more than hour-long plea in mitigation urged the judge to bear in mind the personal circumstances of Matthew Hyde, who has undergone personal and psychological challenges since childhood and is currently diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.

The 21 year old, who has been in custody since his arrest last February, pleaded guilty on September 26 to assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, use of malicious communication, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and false imprisonment.

The University of the West Indies student was charged after he held his ex-girlfriend captive for three days in his room at George Alleyne Hall and tortured her with a hot clothing iron and other implements.

She was  discovered sometime after 10 p.m. on February 9, 2023.

It is alleged that Hyde injured the complainant following cheating accusations.

Attorneys-at-law Gnoj McDonald also appeared for Hyde while Obika Gordon is watching proceedings for the complainant.

- Tanesha Mundle

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