Sheldon Doodnath, a man from Couva, has been handed down concurrent sentences for kidnapping his ex-girlfriend and stealing her car back in January. Justice Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds sentenced Doodnath on July 29 to nine years, 11 months and 20 days for the kidnapping charge, and 7 years, 11 months and 20 days for the larceny charge, both to be carried out with hard labor.
In addition to the prison sentences, the judge also issued a 15-year protection order under the Domestic Violence Act, which will remain in effect for the duration of Doodnath’s sentence. The protection order allows for a possible variation or revocation if either Doodnath or the victim, who share a three-year-old child, wish to reconcile or co-parent.
This case, which marked the first indictable trial under the new Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act, 2011 (AJIPA) legislation, was heard at the O’Meara Judicial Centre in Arima. With this new legislation, cases involving serious offenses like murder, kidnapping, and others are now directly sent to the High Court, bypassing the magistrates’ courts.
Following a sufficiency hearing conducted by a High Court Master, Doodnath’s case proceeded to trial, where a nine-member jury found him guilty on July 24. Earlier in the case, Doodnath’s bail was revoked after the victim reported an assault on July 21.
The incident in question occurred on January 3 when Doodnath forced his ex-girlfriend into her car in Gasparillo. She managed to escape with their young child, but Doodnath drove off with the vehicle, later abandoning it and setting it on fire.
Doodnath claimed during the trial that he had visited the victim to drop off money and see their child, refuting the allegations of kidnapping and theft. However, the jury rejected his defenses and found him guilty on both charges.
In her sentencing, Justice Ramsumair-Hinds urged Doodnath to use his time in prison to reflect on his actions and to participate in educational programs. She emphasized the importance of punishment aligning with the severity of the crime, noting the significance of cases like this in reshaping the criminal justice system in Trinidad and Tobago.
Overall, this case highlights the potential for progress in criminal justice reform with the implementation of AJIPA and other procedural changes aimed at expediting trials and reducing backlogs in the system. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, cases like Doodnath’s serve as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to ensure justice is served swiftly and effectively.
