Erwin Marquis was sentenced 8 years to prison for aggravated burglary and 2 counts of indecent assault. Photo: VINO/File

The sentenced which was handed down by Justice Albert Redhead, who presided over the Court, was as a result of evidence presented by Crown Counsel Sarah Benjamin, that the defendant had served time prior to this, where he was sentenced to serve 12 months in prison in 2009 on burglary charges as well.

During deliberation, Justice Redhead told the defendant that he is very ‘meticulous’ and being that this was not his first offence, it doesn’t make it easy for the Court.

Mr. Marquise received 8 years for aggravated burglary and 2 years each on the counts of indecent assault. The sentences are to run concurrently.

In Mr. Marquise’s defense, his lawyer Richard Rowe, addressed the court by stating, that in accordance to facts given by the defendant, his client was under the influence of whisky and cannabis that he consumed prior to the incident.

He added that his client had no recollection of the event in question. “The last thing he remembered is drinking and smoking, then he woke up at the neighbour’s apartment in handcuffs.”

Meanwhile, in apology to the court, the defendant acknowledged what he did and begged for mercy.

He told the Court that he wasn’t himself and never planned to do something so terrible, and that he wished that there was something he could have done to gain forgiveness from the victims.

It is alleged that on the night of December 23, 2011, while the Virtual Complainants (VC) male and female, were in bed, the male woke up to a masked individual standing over him with a knife.

Allegedly, the VCs were tied up, and while assaulting the victims, one managed to get away and screamed for help, which alarmed the neighbours, who then contacted the authorities.