Recovering alcoholic given chance by judge
(CNS): A 38-year-old George Town man was given a chance to demonstrate that he can mend his ways before he is sentenced in connection with a domestic violence assault. Justice Alex Henderson made a decision on Thursday to postpone sentencing regarding the conviction for six months to allow the defendant time to prove he could change. Adrian Bodden, who had pleaded guilty to wounding after hitting his former girlfriend with a machete during a drunken fight, has a history of domestic abuse because of alcohol and drug misuse. However, having been clean for almost three months, his attorney argued that with no real rehab facilities in the jail, his recovery could be in jeopardy.
The court heard that Bodden has been making a serious effort to turn his life around and has given up drugs and booze and was attending anger management therapy with thehelp and support of his church. Bodden is a full time delivery driver and the court heard his employers speak very highly of him, and his probation officer had also asked for the courts to give him a chance.
The judge was, however, concerned that Bodden had a history of domestic abuse and violence caused by alcohol and was torn over the wishes of the victim, who had pointed to her desire to see her abuser incarcerated.
As a result Justice Henderson took the unusual decision of delaying the sentencing until January and to place Bodden on very strict bail conditions to help in his recovery and allow him a chance to show he could stay clean.
Placing Bodden, from Windsor Park, under a full time home curfew, allowing him only to leave for work, church and visiting his probation officer, the judge said he would be remanded in custody if he breached the conditions. He also ordered that Bodden could not be in possession of any kind of weapon, including knives except to eat with, or in possession of alcohol. In addition, he directed that he should be regularly tested by the probation service for both drugs and liquor.
“This is a chance for you to prove you are turning your life around and becoming a productive non-violent person,” Justice Henderson told Bodden as he laid down the strict conditions. “Any breach, and I will send you to jail,” he added as he explained that Bodden must comply one hundred percent with his order. “Do your job and stay indoors,” he said.
If he did, the judge assured Bodden that he would not send him to jail when he sentences him in January.
Category: Crime
I never know telling my to be ex-husband to stop drink and eat something being he had been drinking all day would have trigger him to did what he did I guess that’s provoking him by looking on for his well being
I got married to him young and wanted my marriage to work being i lost my right hand in a car accident a year before I could not defend my self against him so unless any of you had to live with what I had too in my life of 8 years with him then you all shouldn’t judge the situation
if don’t know what it was like don’t pass judgements . Yes I agree he should have gone to jail for what he put me thru .this goes to show there is no justice for women in situations like mines
There are religious facilities in the prison, and there are AA recovery meetings too. So why can't he go where he belongs?
Wa??
They have Happy Hours in Northward Prison now?
How would he not “dry out” with a good 3-year sentence (out in 1 year)?
Thank you Judge Henderson for granting mercy and a chance to improving the life of Mr. Bodden. It is not often people are given a chance to do better and I do hope this gentelman will prove himself worthy of this grace you have extended to him. And for those of you women who is critizing this matter, I truly wish you all will find space in your hearts to love and respect your men. One woman wrote abiove that "women are not protected" I wonder what part of the world she is meaning? Is it India? where every dayand give God women are mistreated and raped. Or some Arab countries? Could not be Cayman! Where shelter is registered as "Women Crisis Centre" and around the clock dedicated people are on hand to comfort and roll out red carpet for battered women. There is no "Men Crisis Centre" registered here in the Cayman Islands, BUT it is well needed, just as sure as Mother Eve tempted Adam to eat that forbidden fruit, many men in these islands are suffereing under the hands of other "Mrs. Eves". I am a woman and I truthfully know many a homes are in uproar and children wayward because of a demanding and abusive woman. Homes like these, where the man (partner/husband) cannot control of tame a brawling wife is why many of our young people are behind bars. Men remember this Proverbs 21 Verse 9: "It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. Cheer up men live wisely and independelly, enjoy life and thank God for blesings!
A great decision! Everyone needs a second chance rather than creating another criminal by throwing him in jail! Bracka
I hope the judge is not going to regret that decision! Domestic violence isn't anything to joke with and considering the recent headlines on CNN, unfortunately too often the situation turns deadly!Who will be there to monitor this guy 24/7 in case he does fall of the waggon and goes on a drunken rampage???
3 months is not a very long time to change a history of domestic violence… and hitting someone with a machete is more like attempted murder than assault…
A Lot of times female provoke their spouses too….if women get anymore protection then I don't know what to think? But I acknoledge that generally men are the stronger gender etc…
My Ex – wife shoved me down in my kitchen ( I never provoked or saw it coming) and then NUGGING and hitting me, said, " HIT ME NUH, SO I CAN TAKE YOU TO NORTHWARD!" And she is a "CAYMANIAN WOMAN"
Women need behave themselves too–sometimes we men are victims too……
BUT, MEN, IF YOU OUT THERE AND READING THIS, SHAKE IT OFF AND WALK AWAY AS I DID! IT AIN'T WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!! Six billion women in the world–look another one……
Best darn thing ever happened to me…I living like a king as a single man and answer only to GOD and my KIDS.
More like 3 billion. Still plenty.
Mr. Attorney, you know why we do not have rehab facilities in Northward Prison? It is because Prison is PRISON! Not rehab. If your client does not want to go to prison, then do not commit a crime that will send them there. SIMPLE!
Sounds like being sent to prison would be a good start to his rehab.
I am not sure how i feel about this. A slap or shove is one thing, but assult with a deadly weapon mixed in with a history of violence? Seems that the victim deserves some justice here. Alcohol is a hell of a drug.
I don't condone domestic violence but there are two sides to every story, judges are often times very wise.
It doesn't matter whether she did provoke him. It doesn't make it right what he did. The right thing is to walk away and never return. Violence is never the right way to resolve anything.
Domestic violence should mean jail. Claiming to get religion should not be a get out of jail free card.
Very odd that the one thing this alcoholic does not seem to be doing is addressing his alcoholism. Anger management? Church? And yet no mention of counselling for alcoholism or attendance at AA? Alcoholics who claim to be going straight should be put into the drug court program.
Reading between the lines it does not sound like this chap wants to stop drinking at all. He just wants to get out of going to jail.
I see why the judge made his decision, however as a female I see that women are not protected. This shows me that my husband is allowed to beat me with no punishment. If he wasn't her husband and just a stranger on the street would the punishment be the same? Are women only property? If she fought back, would she be charged with assault? Not if but when he does this again or any other does it again and she gets killed. What will the judge then say? Sorry I made a bad decision? This really shows me that women are not safe and not valued members of society.
Your husband is not allowed to beat you but if you are stupid and will stay and take his beatings then hey, thats your stupidity!! we need to learn to be more forgiving and understanding of each person's situation and not just boil everyone with the same ole dirty water. If the Judge see fit that this man is given a fair chance at rehabilitation then can we all just try to be more positive and offer some advice and encouragement to our fellow humans? I am not condoning his behaviour etc. but second chances do make positive impacts on some people. I hope this young man turns his life around and becomes a positive and productive memeber of our society.
As is understand it. He beat her. She left. It is in court and the judgement is lenient enough that he will be free shortly. He will go back to drinking. He will get sauced. He will get angry and find her. He can beat her again for a different reason. New reason. Taking him to court. Except this time she doesn't survive.
It is not everytime the woman stays to get beaten. Also if the woman doesn't work and has no where to go. The shelter is full. She is an expat homemaker/unemployed financially dependent wife. What are her true options? Easier said than done. Isn't it?
You are right. If this was a stranger or someone other than her husband the situation would have been looked at differently.
He should just be locked up forever
make good of your chance young man they don't get much better.