Roger Watson v The King (Bahamas)

Roger Watson v The King (Bahamas)

The Court of Appeal breached procedural fairness by failing to hear the appellant on the appropriate sentence for manslaughter and by failing to give reasons for the sentence imposed. The sentence also failed to account for time spent in custody on remand. These breaches require the sentence to be quashed and the...

Source-derived case information.

Parties
Appellant: Roger Watson; Respondent: The King
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
05 September 2023
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal Against Sentence
Outcome
appeal allowed
Legal Topics
Manslaughter, Sentencing, Natural Justice, Procedural Fairness, Remand Credit
Criminal Law Procedural Law Manslaughter Sentencing Natural Justice Procedural Fairness Remand Credit

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Parties

Roger Watson

Appellant

The King

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal Against Sentence

  1. 1 Whether the Court of Appeal breached natural justice by failing to hear the appellant on sentence
  2. 2 Whether the Court of Appeal failed to give reasons for the sentence imposed
  3. 3 Whether the sentence failed to account for time spent in custody on remand

Ratio Decidendi

The Court of Appeal breached procedural fairness by failing to hear the appellant on the appropriate sentence for manslaughter and by failing to give reasons for the sentence imposed. The sentence also failed to account for time spent in custody on remand. These breaches require the sentence to be quashed and the matter remitted for resentencing.

Court Disposition

appeal allowed

Orders

  • sentence of 50 years’ imprisonment quashed
  • matter remitted to the Court of Appeal of The Bahamas for resentencing